Remembered for his Cissie And Ada sketches with Les Dawson

Roy Barraclough, Les Dawson’s partner in the classic Cissie and Ada sketches, has died at the age of 81.

The comic was also known for playing Rovers Return landlord Alec Gilroy in Coronation Street, married to Julie Goodyear's character Bet Lynch.

He and Dawson created Cissie Braithwaite and Ada Shufflebotham in rehearsals for the sketch show Sez Les in 1972, and were persuaded by the  producer to use them in sketches on screen. 

Dawson needed onvincing to don drag, and Barraclough was initially nervous that he would not be able to match Dawson's talent for ad-libbing. The characters also advertised cream cakes in 1984.

Barraclough recalled that his characterisation of Cissie ‘was drawn from an aunt of mine who always thought she was slightly above the rest of the family, Auntie Annie. You know, she would always have a sherry. And the rest of the family always took the piss out of her.’

He appeared in Corrie in the early 1970s, becoming a regular face on the show from 1986 to 1996, and was last seen on TV last year, playing Mr Grainger in the revival of Are You Being Served?.

His other credits include Last Tango in Halifax, Last of the Summer Wine and Casualty.

In the 2006 New Year Honours, Barraclough was appointed an MBE for services to drama and to charity in the North West.

Among those paying tribute today were Gimme Gimme Gimme writer Jonathan Harvey who tweeted: ‘Very sad to hear Roy Barraclough has died. He was the Narrator on my Corrie play on tour and was such fun. And had the BEST gossip. RIP.’

Benidorm star Sherrie Hewson added: ‘So thrilled to have known and worked with truly wonderful Roy Barraclough miss you so much Roy Are You Being Served! Mr Grainger! Genius.’

Happy days with Roy Barraclough on 'Pompidou'. Lovely man, brilliant actor. pic.twitter.com/Fe78ctMc4Q

— Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) June 1, 2017

And Dawson’s daughter Charlotte posted: ‘Omg I’m devastated...at least you get to be reunited with my daddy.’

Barraclough died today at Willow Wood Hospice in Greater Manchester, of which he was a patron, after a short illness. His agents, Gavin Barker Associates, confirmed the news.

Published: 1 Jun 2017