We are deeply saddened to report (belatedly, but no less solemnly) the tragic passing of Roger Lloyd-Pack, who died on January 15th. The British actor had long struggled in a battle with pancreatic cancer, and it was this illness which took him from us in his home in Kentish Town last week.
To many readers, Roger will of course be best known for his role as Trigger in the classic BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. To this writer, however, it was his work in the equally brilliant The Vicar of Dibley as Owen that first captured and effortlessly retained my attention. Like any actor, Roger was on some level 'only' reading the lines of a script in his portrayal, but he brought an indescribably captivating charm and unrelenting passion to the role in each of his countless appearances. After the Dawn French series reached its conclusion, the actor's presence in the realms of British entertainment was minimalised but marginally, as he continued to appear and amaze with performances in films including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Made In Dagenham, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and even in other BBC shows such as Doctor Who (Rise of the Cybermen/The Age of Steel) and The Catherine Tate Show (Nan's Christmas Carol).
That Roger's death is an immense loss for the comedy industry is abundantly clear, then, and this positively horrible turn of events will no doubt prompt his fanbase to cherish the actor's works moreso than ever before (rightly so, I might add). My thoughts and prayers go out to Roger's family and friends in this period of deep grief and necessary cherishing of the time they spent in his company. Depending on their medium and approach, whether an icon's words or a clip starring them is more apt varies, but in the case of this stalwart, unforgettable comedian and spokesman, only a video of his finest moments can do suitable justice to his eternal legacy.
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