RIP Welsh sitcom star Robert Blythe

Welsh actor Robert Blythe, best known for playing Fagin in the BBC Wales sitcom High Hopes has died.

The news was broken on Twitter by BBC arts correspondent Huw Thoas who said: ‘Sad news this morning…  He had a hugely varied career spanning radio, TV, film and stage.’

High Hopes, which was set in the fictional Welsh valley of Cwm-Pen-Ôl (Welsh for 'Backside Valley’), piloted across Britain in 1999 before running as a BBC Wales series  from 2002 to 2009.

Blythe’s character had just been released from serving time for second-degree murder at Strangeways Prison, and was trying to be an entrepreneur, but was claustrophobic and agoraphobic so ran his business empire from home.

High Hopes creator Boyd Clack said on Twitter: 'So sad to hear of Bob Blythe passing on.  He was a dear friend.  We spent many an hour together.  My love to all of his lovely family.  I'll miss you brother.  Boyd.'

Blythe's other credits include stage productions of Under Milk Wood, A Christmas Carol and One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest – and one episode of Little Britain, 

Published: 21 Nov 2018