Richard Beckinsale subject of an episode of "This Is Your Life". Beckinsale quit "Rising Damp" in 1977, the same year that "Porridge" was brought to an end with his character of Godber being released from his prison sentence in the final episode. He subsequently starred alongside Barker in "Going Straight", a spin-off of "Porridge" in which the two criminal characters are seen on the outside rebuilding their lives. In 1977, he starred in a radio comedy series called "Albert and Me" with Pat Coombs and John Comer. At the beginning of 1979, Beckinsale made a film version of "Porridge". It was to
Richard Beckinsale sudden. He just went to sleep one night, and didn't wake up again." Beckinsale was cremated at Mortlake Crematorium. He has a memorial plaque in the actors' church St Paul's in Covent Garden. At the time of his death, Beckinsale had almost completed "Bloomers". Writer James Saunders's original script reveals that Beckinsale was due to attend the sixth and last rehearsal for the final episode of the series on the day he died, with the show to be recorded the following day. The five completed "Bloomers" episodes were aired later in the year. He was also making a television film,