Brian Murphy (actor) Murphy reprised his role in feature films of both sitcoms. Joyce died in 1980, and "George and Mildred" was cancelled. Another sitcom was created for Murphy with him in the title role in "The Incredible Mr. Tanner" along with "Man About The House" and "George and Mildred" co-star Roy Kinnear, but the show failed to gain popularity. Murphy has continued to appear regularly on television, most notably as "Alvin Smedley" in "Last of the Summer Wine" from 2003 to 2010, and also with roles in "On Your Way, Riley" (1985) as Arthur Lucan, "Lame Ducks" (as a private investigator); "The
Theatre Workshop planned to transform the centre of Stratford. Audiences mounted a campaign to save the theatre and for many years it remained open in the centre of a building site. In 1975 Gerry Raffles died of diabetes and in 1979 Littlewood moved to France, and ceased to direct. Many well-regarded television and stage actors began their professional careers at Theatre Workshop under Littlewood's tutelage. They included Yootha Joyce, Glynn Edwards, Harry H. Corbett, George A. Cooper, Richard Harris, Stephen Lewis, Howard Goorney, Brian Murphy, Murray Melvin, Nigel Hawthorne and Barbara Windsor. The last three were cast by the director Ken Russell