Ginger haired character actor Clive Walter Swift was born in Liverpool on 9th February 1936, the son of a prosperous furniture shop owner. He was the younger brother of actor David Swift (1931 – 2016) who found fame playing Henry Davenport on the satirical sitcom Drop the Dead Donkey. Clive was often cast as downtrodden or meek characters with his keystone role in the sitcom Keeping up Appearances being a prime example.
He was educated at Clifton College in Bristol, and then Cambridge University where he studied English literature. It was whilst he was attending Clifton College that he first came into contact with acting when he took part in a play competition judged by the director of the Bristol Old Vic. His group won the competition and afterwards he was approached by the director who advised him to pursue a career on the stage. At Cambridge University he became involved in theatre activities and it was here that he first met his peers Derek Jacobi. Eleanor Bron and Ian McKellen. He also met Margaret Drabble when they both appeared in a production of Pillars of the Community. Swift was an unsympathetic vicar and Drabble was full of admiration for how he played the role. They quickly feel in love[1] and married in 1960. Drabble was an award winning novelist, critic and biographer. They remained married until 1975 and had three children; Rebecca, Adam and Joe. Adam, born 1961, is a political philosopher and sociologist whilst Joe, born 1965, is a garden designer, journalist and a TV presenter. Rebecca was a poet and founder of The Literary Consultancy, an editorial consultancy founded in 1996. She passed away on 18th April 2017 after a short battle with cancer.
Swift not only acted but also undertook directing duties during his student days as a member of the Cambridge Amateur Dramatic club. During March 1958 he directed a production of the Jean Paul Satre play The Flies, which was translated and adapted by Margaret Drabble. Swift made his professional acting debut in the stage play Take the Fool Away in September 1959 at Nottingham Playhouse. He played the role of Doctor Bushtact in the British premiere of the J B Priestley play which featured a Victorian era clown transported into the future. The play was badly received by critics at the time. This was followed by ten years under the directorship of Peter Hall at the fledgling Royal Shakespeare Company which included being an understudy for Peter O’Toole. Margaret Drabble was also part of the company providing walk on or non-speaking roles.
Swift stated that his first TV work was an episode of Love Story[3] though he seems to have one earlier credit which was seen on the BBC as part of their series Theatre Night. The concept behind this series was that it would provide forty five minute excerpts from stage productions that were currently running in London. The episode “Ondine” (11th April 1961) televised the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production directed by Peter Hall and Swift was in the cast as one of several King’s seen in the story. Swift’s fellow monarchs included James Bree, Ian Holm, Peter Jeffrey and Diana Rigg. He was involved in theatrical seasons as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon which included productions of Measure for Measure and A Midsummer’s Night Dream.
Swift is quite correct though, the first TV work he was cast in was an episode of ATV’s long running drama anthology series Love Story. He appears in the episode 'Some Grist from Mervyn’s Mill' (12th August 1963) as Mervyn with Warren Mitchell co-starring. This debut role was quickly followed by an appearance as Mr Perrett in a single episode of the BBC soap opera Compact – 'On The Run' (27th August 1963). Next was the BBC comedy series Dig This Rhubarb (6th October 1963 – 5th April 1964) which was billed as a comical, thematic discussion series viewed through the writings of famous authors such as Shakespeare, G K Chesterton, Lord Byron and others. During February 1964 Swift played in the RSC production The Rebel alongside David Warner. Throughout August 1964 he appeared in a new version of Richard II for the RSC in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The following year, for the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, he appeared in the play The Big Breaker during July and August 1965.
Swift made his cinema debut playing the role of Duffie in Catch Us If You Can (1965), a vehicle for pop group The Dave Clarke Five, and an early film for director John Boorman. Swift then took part in the prestigious BBC production The Wars of the Roses (1965), which was a filmed theatre production of four of Shakespeare historical plays presented as a trilogy. His other television role for the year was in the drama anthology series Knock on Any Door for ATV. Swift appears as Arkwright in the episode 'The Knife' (9th October 1965). Back on the stage he took the role of Canton in a version of The Clandestine Marriage presented at the Chichester Festival Theatre. This was followed with a role in The Fighting Cock, at the same venue. The productions were staged between June and July 1966. He then appeared in the second season of Public Eye with the role of West in the episode 'There Are More Things in Heaven and Earth' (10th September 1966).
Way with Words was an educational programme produced by Thames Television with the aim of teaching English grammar to secondary school children. Swift appeared alongside the likes of Michael Craze, Yootha Joyce, Michael Sheard and Kenneth Cranham in dramatic scenarios written by respected writers such as Owen Holder. The series appears to have run during 1967 though some listings also indicate episodes were shown in 1966 and 1965 so it may have been produced nearer to these earlier dates. For the Royal Shakespeare Company Swift played Sicinius Velutus during April and May 1967 in a production of Coriolanus at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon. He continued with the RSC to appear as Parolles for a version of All’s Well That Ends Well during June 1967. This led him to be cast as Parolles for the BBC production of Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well (3rd June 1968). Staying with television Swift then guest starred as Graham Richards in 'He’s Good for It' (6th September 1968), an episode of the forensic detective series The Expert. His association with the Royal Shakespeare Company bore more fruit in the form of a cinema version of their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968) directed by Peter Hall. Swift featured as Snug as part of a cast which was a who’s who of talented British actors of the era including Ian Holm as Puck, Diana Rigg as Helena, Helen Mirren as Hermia, David Warner as Lysander and Ian Richardson as Oberon.
During early 1969 Swift appeared alongside Rosemary Leach and Angela Pleasence in The Wednesday Play episode 'Birthday' (12th February 1969) playing the role of Neil. His next TV role was as Major Bagstock in the BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens' Dombey and Son (17th August – 9th November 1969) which featured John Carson as Dombey. Swift continued with BBC adaptations of classic literature with the role of The Pardoner’s Tale First Rioter in the fourth episode (13th November 1969) of the BBC’s seven part version of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. He then appeared alongside his old Royal Shakespeare Company colleague Michael Jayston in The Wednesday Play episode 'Mad Jack' (4th February 1970). Jayston played the war poet and soldier Siegfried Sassoon who protests against the unnecessary sacrifice of men’s lives during the First World War. Swift appears as an army adjutant.
Swift wrote a new adaptation of Maim Gorki’s play The Lower Depths which was presented in the Studio Theatre of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art during July 1970. Swift also directed the play which was performed by second year students enrolled at LAMDA. One of the major changes Swift made to the original text was to relocate the events set in turn of the century Russia to the London of 1870. Next was the role of art teacher Max Fielder in the Colin Welland scripted play Roll on Four O’clock (19th December 1970) broadcast as part of the ITV Sunday Night Theatre. Swift is the sympathetic liberal tutor that comes up against staff room homophobia defending a young boy yet to come to turns with his sexuality. Swift underpins the entire play and the production is an excellent example his ability to invest his roles with several layers thanks to his intelligent interpretation. During 1970 and 1971 Swift played Inspector Waugh in six consecutive episodes of Thirty Minute Theatre under the banner title of Waugh On Crime starting with the episode 'In Which Inspector Waugh Settles An Account' (4th December 1970).
Swift wrote a new adaptation of Maim Gorki’s play The Lower Depths which was presented in the Studio Theatre of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art during July 1970. Swift also directed the play which was performed by second year students enrolled at LAMDA. One of the major changes Swift made to the original text was to relocate the events set in turn of the century Russia to the London of 1870. Next was the role of art teacher Max Fielder in the Colin Welland scripted play Roll on Four O’clock (19th December 1970) broadcast as part of the ITV Sunday Night Theatre. Swift is the sympathetic liberal tutor that comes up against staff room homophobia defending a young boy yet to come to turns with his sexuality. Swift underpins the entire play and the production is an excellent example his ability to invest his roles with several layers thanks to his intelligent interpretation. During 1970 and 1971 Swift played Inspector Waugh in six consecutive episodes of Thirty Minute Theatre under the banner title of Waugh On Crime starting with the episode 'In Which Inspector Waugh Settles An Account' (4th December 1970).
Swift was not only a capable drama actor but he also had a talent for comedy which he delivered with an equally innate ability. One of his earliest pure sitcom roles was in the Roy Clarke scripted ATV programme The Misfit. Swift guest starred in the episode 'On the New Establishment' (29th March 1971). Theatre wise Swift returned to the Chichester Festival Theatre for a production of The Rivals during May 1971. Remaining at the same venue this was followed by a run of Dear Antoinette during May 1971.
His most famous role for the year was a Doctor Black in the very first of the legendary BBC Ghost Stories for Christmas. Based on the M R James story 'The Stalls of Barchester' (24th December 1971) it starred Robert Hardy as Archdeacon Haynes, whose story Black learns of through a diary he discovers. This role heralded something of a golden era for Swift who would appear in some of his most famous roles during the next few years. His film roles during this period includes playing Inspector Richardson in the cult British horror film Raw Meat (1972), performing for Hitchcock as Johnny Porter in the maestro’s classic Frenzy (1972) and essaying the role of Massey in the film adaptation of Man At The Top (1973). His television appearances were even more memorable starting with a guest spot as Jim Royle in 'Birds on Strike' (3rd March 1972) an episode of the sitcom The Liver Birds, however his next role really started a run of plum parts for the actor.
Next was the role of Mr Clough in 'Alice Sheree' (19th August 1972), an episode of the crime drama Villains. Swift ended the year with a double whammy of superb horror with his role as Dan in 'The Exorcism' (5th November 1972), an episode of the BBC horror anthology Dead of Night. Written and directed by Don Taylor, who would later work on Beasts, 'The Exorcism' is often cited as one of the scariest slices of British horror television output of the era. This was followed by his second appearance as Doctor Black in the second annual BBC Ghost Story for Christmas, 'A Warning To The Curious' (24th December 1972). Based on another M R James short story this is a slow burning masterpiece starring Peter Vaughan as a treasure hunter seeking a fabled lost crown which protects England against invasion. Next was The Moon Shines Bright on Charlie Chaplin (13th February 1973), a one off BBC Scotland production. Swift featured as an army captain alongside a cast that also included John Junkin, Christopher Timothy and Margaret Nolan. The following month Swift appeared in the BBC drama series The Pearcross Girls in the first episode, 'Sweet Julia' (4th March 1973), as the character Frank Pledger. The National Health (1973) was a film version of the stage play which satirised the National Health Service. An interesting, but flawed film due to closely following its stage roots, the cast included Lynn Redgrave, Colin Blakely, Eleanor Bron, Donald Sinden and Jim Dale. Swift features as Ash, a patient under the care of a flaky and eccentric set of staff.
During 1974 Swift’s main television contribution was as Alfred E Huggins in the series South Riding (16th September – 9th December 1974). The next year Swift made his debut Play for Today with his appearance as Savoury in the episode 'Goodbye' (6th March 1975) which also featured Thorley Walters in the cast. Both would appear in the Beasts episode 'The Dummy' the following year. Swift next popped up in the cast of the crime quiz show Whodunnit playing Commander Blade in the episode 'Too Many Cooks' (25th August 1975) and could be seen as Alan in the Alan Plater play Willow Cabins (1st December 1975) produced by Yorkshire Television. The following year Swift played the role of Griffith Trevelyan in two episodes of the BBC business drama The Brothers – 'Tender' (29th February 1976) and 'The Mole' (7th March 1976). Clayhanger (1976) was an ATV period drama set at the turn of the century which starred Peter McEnery as Edwin Clayhanger, a young man trying to make his way in the world. Swift appeared in ten episodes as the character Albert Benbow. Thames Television made several attempts to rival the BBC Shakespeare adaptation during the 1970s and Swift appeared in one of them, Romeo and Juliet (22nd September 1976), as Friar Lawrence.
Victorian Scandals was a single season drama anthology produced by Granada which dramatized true stories that shocked Victorian society. Swift appears as William Hepworth-Dixon in the final episode, 'Beloved' (10th October 1976), and then made his second Play for Today appearance as an air steward in the comedy drama 'Buffet' (2nd November 1976) directed by Mike Newell. His turn as the manipulative Bunny Nettleton in the Beasts episode 'The Dummy' was next. Aside from continuing to be busy in both theatre and television towards the end of 1976 Swift saw the publication of his book The Job of Acting: A Guide to Working in Theatre.
Post-Beasts Swift appeared alongside his brother David in the single BBC drama The Game (3rd January 1977) which also featured Louise Jameson in a 1913 set tale of the star football player for Blackton Rovers being sold to a rival club for a record transfer fee. Later in the year Swift took the role of Frank in the BBC Play of the Week production 'The Kitchen' (2nd November 1977) based on a play by Arnold Wesker. Don Shaw, who had directed for Beasts, wrote the play Foreign Affairs (25th January 1978) which cast Swift as the character Adamason. Swift then appeared in three episodes of the second season of 1990, a BBC dystopian society thriller starring Edward Woodward as a journalist fighting the totalitarian society of a future Britian. Swift plays Tony Doran in the episodes 'Pentagons' (20th February 1978), 'The Market Price' (27th February 1978) and 'Ordeal by Small Brown Envelope' (13th March 1978). The very next day he was next seen as Professor Marvel in the children’s drama series Jackanory Playhouse episode 'Big Pete, Little Pete' (14th March 1978).
Swift, along with fellow thespians Sheila Hancock, William Hobbs and John Alderton, had long campaigned for a centre that would allow the continuing professional development of actors as well as acting as nexus point to enabling networking. The Actor’s Centre was finally opened in 1978 with Sir Laurence Olivier as the founding patron and is still in existence today.
Shadows was a children’s horror anthology series that featured several notable episodes including 'And for My Next Trick' (4th October 1978) which saw Swift play the inept magician Devine. When Devine comes into the possession of three magical eggs he decides to incorporate them into his stage show. But there is a price to pay for using the power of the eggs which Devine sadly learns about. The script was written by P J Hammond who also created the sublime Sapphire and Steel. Swift's sitcom
work for the period included a role in the Arthur Lowe starring comedy Bless Me Father. Swift plays Fred Dobie in the episode 'Father and
Mother' (22nd October 1978). It was then back to the BBC for more
period drama with Swift taking the role of Watkins in '1905: The Hollow Victory' (29th October 1978), an episode of the series A Horseman Riding By. The Sailor’s
Return (November 1978) was another period drama, though it was made by the
independent production Euston Films who were more well known for making gritty
drama like The Sweeney. Swift has a
marvellous turn as the Reverend Pottock.
Terry Venables was the unlikely creator of the detective series Hazell which starred Nicholas Ball as the title character. Swift pops up in a second season episode, 'Hazell and the Baker Street Sleuth' (19th April 1979), in the role of Fitch. Between June and July 1979 Swift was the leading cast member in the stage production All Together Now, a play about a brass band in a small Midlands town, presented at the Haymarket Theatre, Leicester. Whilst appearing in the play Swift guest starred in the final episode of the BBC drama A Family Affair, 'Finding the Words' (15th July 1979), undertaking the role of Sir Charles Boyd. His final television appearance for the year was as Thomas Percy, the Earl of Worcester for the BBC adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part One (9th December 1979).
His most famous role for the year was a Doctor Black in the very first of the legendary BBC Ghost Stories for Christmas. Based on the M R James story 'The Stalls of Barchester' (24th December 1971) it starred Robert Hardy as Archdeacon Haynes, whose story Black learns of through a diary he discovers. This role heralded something of a golden era for Swift who would appear in some of his most famous roles during the next few years. His film roles during this period includes playing Inspector Richardson in the cult British horror film Raw Meat (1972), performing for Hitchcock as Johnny Porter in the maestro’s classic Frenzy (1972) and essaying the role of Massey in the film adaptation of Man At The Top (1973). His television appearances were even more memorable starting with a guest spot as Jim Royle in 'Birds on Strike' (3rd March 1972) an episode of the sitcom The Liver Birds, however his next role really started a run of plum parts for the actor.
The Frighteners was a series of thirty minute thrillers and Swift appeared as Machen in the first episode 'The School Room'[4] (13th May 1973). Machen was an ex-pupil of Miss Smith who has come to the age of retirement. After a celebration in her classroom Miss Smith is left alone where she is visited by Machen who violently intimidates her as he blames her for everything that has gone wrong in his life. It’s a powerful performance from Swift he goes from being terrifying to a weeping mess in the course of half an hour.
Victorian Scandals was a single season drama anthology produced by Granada which dramatized true stories that shocked Victorian society. Swift appears as William Hepworth-Dixon in the final episode, 'Beloved' (10th October 1976), and then made his second Play for Today appearance as an air steward in the comedy drama 'Buffet' (2nd November 1976) directed by Mike Newell. His turn as the manipulative Bunny Nettleton in the Beasts episode 'The Dummy' was next. Aside from continuing to be busy in both theatre and television towards the end of 1976 Swift saw the publication of his book The Job of Acting: A Guide to Working in Theatre.
Post-Beasts Swift appeared alongside his brother David in the single BBC drama The Game (3rd January 1977) which also featured Louise Jameson in a 1913 set tale of the star football player for Blackton Rovers being sold to a rival club for a record transfer fee. Later in the year Swift took the role of Frank in the BBC Play of the Week production 'The Kitchen' (2nd November 1977) based on a play by Arnold Wesker. Don Shaw, who had directed for Beasts, wrote the play Foreign Affairs (25th January 1978) which cast Swift as the character Adamason. Swift then appeared in three episodes of the second season of 1990, a BBC dystopian society thriller starring Edward Woodward as a journalist fighting the totalitarian society of a future Britian. Swift plays Tony Doran in the episodes 'Pentagons' (20th February 1978), 'The Market Price' (27th February 1978) and 'Ordeal by Small Brown Envelope' (13th March 1978). The very next day he was next seen as Professor Marvel in the children’s drama series Jackanory Playhouse episode 'Big Pete, Little Pete' (14th March 1978).
Terry Venables was the unlikely creator of the detective series Hazell which starred Nicholas Ball as the title character. Swift pops up in a second season episode, 'Hazell and the Baker Street Sleuth' (19th April 1979), in the role of Fitch. Between June and July 1979 Swift was the leading cast member in the stage production All Together Now, a play about a brass band in a small Midlands town, presented at the Haymarket Theatre, Leicester. Whilst appearing in the play Swift guest starred in the final episode of the BBC drama A Family Affair, 'Finding the Words' (15th July 1979), undertaking the role of Sir Charles Boyd. His final television appearance for the year was as Thomas Percy, the Earl of Worcester for the BBC adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part One (9th December 1979).
Swift enjoyed leading man status for the Yorkshire TV sitcom The Nesbitts Are Coming which ran for one season between 17th April and 22nd May 1980. The series was created by Dick Sharples and featured Swift as Ernie Nesbitt, the head of a family of small time crooks. Next it was back to Victorian period drama with the detective series Cribb with Swift appearing as Doctor Probert in the episode 'A Case of Spirits' (25th May 1980). The actor stayed in the Victorian era for his next role as Hastie Lanyon in a production of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (6th January 1981) directed by Alistair Reid for the BBC and starring David Hemmings in the lead role(s). Cinema wise Swift appeared as Ector in John Boorman’s film Excalibur (1981). Ignored and misjudged by critics at the time of its release the film has taken on a cult status since it was first released. Swift finished 1981 by making an appearance as Horace Wilson in Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years in the episodes 'The Long Tide of Surrender' (18th October 1981) and 'What Price Churchill?' (25th October 1981).
Tales of the Unexpected pulled in many talented character actors during its long run and Swift was finally called upon for the fifth season of tales with a twist. 'Stranger In Town' (23rd May 1982) was directed by Wendy Toye who had also directed the original short film version of the story, The Stranger Left No Card (1952), at the very start of her career as a director. It’s worth noting that the TV version would also be Toye’s last directing credit. Derek Jacobi played a mysterious magician who ingratiates himself on the community of a small town. However, the stranger, now known as Mr Columbus, has plans for Mr Latham (Swift) who he plots a macabre revenge against. More guest roles followed with Swift appearing as Dalziel in 'Right of Entry' (22nd October 1982), an episode of The Gentle Touch, and as Lord Davnport in 'Eckersley Revisited' (29th November 1982), an episode of The New Adventures of Lucky Jim. The year’s work for television was completed with the role of Bishop Proudie in The Barchester Chronicles (10th November – 22nd December 1982).
Events in a Museum (25th November 1983) was single drama set in a museum experiencing changes under the eye of a new director. Swift played the role of Mr Sloane. Another small role as an authority figure, a magistrate, saw Swift working for Peter Ustinov who wrote and directed the film Memed My Hawk (1984). He then moved onto another BBC Shakespeare adaptation, Pericles, Prince of Tyre (8th December 1984), which saw Swift cast as Lord Cerimon. Possibly his most notable appearance for the year was in David Lean’s film A Passage to India (1984) as Major Callendar.
He was called upon by producer Barry Letts to play Mr Tupman in his twelve part adaptation of The Pickwick Papers (6th January – 24th March 1985) for the BBC. Swift joined a cast rammed full of familiar faces and popular character actors including Nigel Stock, Ray Brooks, Milton Johns and many more. His next role is possibly the one he is most recognised for to modern audiences and has acquired a cult following amongst some circles. Swift played Mr Jobel in the Colin Baker era Doctor Who adventure 'Revelation of the Daleks' (23rd March and 30th March 1985). Other guest spots for the year included the BBC legal drama Black Silk in the episode 'Barrister On Trial' (21st November 1985) and a BBC version of the Noel Coward story What Mad Pursuit (24th November 1985) as Bonwit Steinhauser. All Together Now (9th July 1986) was the very first play in the Screenplay anthology series which ran from 1986 to 1993 on the BBC. Swift appears as James in the production which also featured Jaqueline Hill (Doctor Who companion Barbara from the very first season) and Terry Molloy (Davros in several 1980s Doctor Who stories). Swift’s main television role for the year was as Alec Pimkin in the BBC political drama First Among Equals (30th September 1986 – 2nd December 1986). Swift’s co-star in 'The Dummy', Bernard Horsfall, also featured in the series.
During 1987 Swift had a guest role as Doctor Bartlett in the Inspector Morse episode 'The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn' (13th January 1987) followed by Pack of Lies (26th April 1987), a Hallmark TV movie based on the play by Hugh Whitemore. Swift appears as the character Ellis in a cast that also includes Ellen Burstyn, Terri Garr and Alan Bates. His next television appearance was as Professor Piers Platt in the second season of the BBC comedy drama A Very Peculiar Practice starring Peter Davison. The episode was called 'Art and Illusion' (2nd March 1988). Swift also appeared in an episode of the American science fiction anthology series The Ray Bradbury Theatre. 'The Coffin' (7th May 1988) also features Denholm Elliott and Dan O’Herlihy with Swift taking the role of St John Court. His next film role, uncredited on screen, was as Comparsa in Young Toscanini (1988), biopic of the famous conductor directed by Franco Zeffirelli. Swift finished the year with a couple of guest roles in the short-lived BBC comedy drama Double First and a feature length episode of Minder, 'An Officer and A Car Salesman' (26th December 1988).
During 1987 Swift had a guest role as Doctor Bartlett in the Inspector Morse episode 'The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn' (13th January 1987) followed by Pack of Lies (26th April 1987), a Hallmark TV movie based on the play by Hugh Whitemore. Swift appears as the character Ellis in a cast that also includes Ellen Burstyn, Terri Garr and Alan Bates. His next television appearance was as Professor Piers Platt in the second season of the BBC comedy drama A Very Peculiar Practice starring Peter Davison. The episode was called 'Art and Illusion' (2nd March 1988). Swift also appeared in an episode of the American science fiction anthology series The Ray Bradbury Theatre. 'The Coffin' (7th May 1988) also features Denholm Elliott and Dan O’Herlihy with Swift taking the role of St John Court. His next film role, uncredited on screen, was as Comparsa in Young Toscanini (1988), biopic of the famous conductor directed by Franco Zeffirelli. Swift finished the year with a couple of guest roles in the short-lived BBC comedy drama Double First and a feature length episode of Minder, 'An Officer and A Car Salesman' (26th December 1988).
Swift welcomed further comedy work in the BBC sitcom Laura and Disorder featuring Wendy Craig. Swift turns up in the episode 'The Metal Detector' (26th March 1989) playing the role of Barry Page. Cause Celebre (4th May 1989) was a version of the Terence Rattigan play produced by Anglia Television. The cast is stunning with Helen Mirren, Harry Andrews, David Suchet, David Morrisey, Geoffrey Bayldon and David Simeon (who had played the vet in 'Murrain') all appearing. More guest roles followed including Sammy in the TVS drama Gentlemen and Players episode 'Another Square Mile' (9th June 1989), appearing as a judge in Central’s Hard Cases (15th August 1989) and a return to sitcom in The Return of Shelley episode 'A Problem Aired' (2nd January 1990) playing the character Robson. He then took part in Trevor Nunn’s version of Othello (23rd June 1990) that was updated to 19th Century Cyprus. This production was filmed and transmitted as part of the BBC series Theatre Night and Swift featured in a cast that also included Ian McKellen, Imogen Stubbs and Zoe Wannamaker.
Keeping up Appearances debuted at the end of October 1990 and would forever cement Swift in the role of the long suffering husband Richard in the public mind. Written by Roy Clarke, who had also created The Last of the Summer Wine, the series focussed on Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) as a women attempting to climb the social ladder despite her working class family connections. Patricia Routledge played Hyacinth with Geoffrey Hughes and Judy Cornwell as Onslow and Daisy, the working class family members. The series would run to a total of forty four episodes across six seasons and several specials broadcast between 1990 and 1995. In between seasons of Keeping up Appearances Swift took roles in This Is David Lander (7th December 1990), BBC drama The War That Never Ends (28th March 1991) and many guest roles; as Charles Hastings in 'Queen’s Gambit' (15th September 1992) an episode of Boon, Victor Kellerman in 'Going Home' (24th October 1993) an episode of Heartbeat and playing Alex Pardoe in 'Doggy Business' (26th October 1994) an episode of the children’s comedy series Woof!
When Keeping up Appearances came to an end Swift found his cache had considerably increased and he was recruited to star in several popular dramas, however he first took the role of Mr Pottersham in two episode of the children’s drama The Famous Five, based on the books by Enid Blyton. Swift appears in the episodes 'Five Have a Wonderful Time' part one (5th January 1997) and part two (12th January 1997). He also appeared in the film Gaston’s War (1997) as General James. One of the first series to take advantage of his higher profile was the cosy ITV drama Peak Practice which featured Swift in the regular role of Norman Shorthose in the season transmitted in 1998. This was followed by the BBC period drama Aristocrats (1999), with Swift cast as King George II. 101 Dalmatians 2: Patch’s London Adventure (2003) was a direct to video sequel for the animated Walt Disney film. Swift provided voice work for the sequel. Vacuums (2003) was a comedy film about twins who start rival vacuum cleaning firms. Chevy Chase featured in the cast alongside Lee Evans. Swift has a small role as A J Johnson. More primetime drama work was next with the regular role of Reverend Brewer in thirty six episodes of Born and Bred transmitted in the period 2002 – 2005.
During 2007 he toured theatres in the one-man show Richard Bucket Overflows: An Audience with Clive Swift. As part of the show he would tell anecdotes from his long career as well as perform satirical songs which he had written. In 2009 he toured once again with the show Clive Swift Entertains. He returned to the world of Doctor Who when the series was successfully relaunched playing Mr Copper in Christmas special 'Voyage of the Damned' (25th December 2007) alongside David Tennant as the timelord. The Old Guys was a BBC sitcom that was headlined by Swift and Roger Lloyd-Pack as two retired gentleman sharing a house and competing for the affections of their attractive neighbour. Swift played the role of Roy, Lloyd-Pack was Tom and Jane Asher played the neighbour, Sally. The series ran for two season during 2009 and 2010. Little Crackers was a series of fifteen minute comedy dramas based on the theme of Christmas. The episodes were written by a variety of comedians and comedy actors who recalled events from their childhood. Irish comedian Chris O’Dowd wrote Capturing Santa (19th December 2010) which features Swift in a cameo role as the real Father Christmas.
More guest starring roles in ongoing dramas followed with Yusef in 'The Delivery”'(18th February 2011), an episode of the BBC drama Hustle, Doctor Rafferty in 'Funeral' (28th August 2014) - an episode of the BBC sitcom Cuckoo and as Colin in 'In The Line of Fire' (3rd June 2015), an episode of the failed BBC comedy drama Sun Trap which starred Bradley Walsh and Kayvan Novak. His final television role was in in an episode of Midsommer Murders playing Felix Hope in the episode 'Crime and Punishment' (4th January 2017). Swift passed away on 1st February 2019 at the age eighty two after a short illness.
[4] The episode is billed as “The Classroom” on the 2017 DVD release by Network
When Keeping up Appearances came to an end Swift found his cache had considerably increased and he was recruited to star in several popular dramas, however he first took the role of Mr Pottersham in two episode of the children’s drama The Famous Five, based on the books by Enid Blyton. Swift appears in the episodes 'Five Have a Wonderful Time' part one (5th January 1997) and part two (12th January 1997). He also appeared in the film Gaston’s War (1997) as General James. One of the first series to take advantage of his higher profile was the cosy ITV drama Peak Practice which featured Swift in the regular role of Norman Shorthose in the season transmitted in 1998. This was followed by the BBC period drama Aristocrats (1999), with Swift cast as King George II. 101 Dalmatians 2: Patch’s London Adventure (2003) was a direct to video sequel for the animated Walt Disney film. Swift provided voice work for the sequel. Vacuums (2003) was a comedy film about twins who start rival vacuum cleaning firms. Chevy Chase featured in the cast alongside Lee Evans. Swift has a small role as A J Johnson. More primetime drama work was next with the regular role of Reverend Brewer in thirty six episodes of Born and Bred transmitted in the period 2002 – 2005.
During 2007 he toured theatres in the one-man show Richard Bucket Overflows: An Audience with Clive Swift. As part of the show he would tell anecdotes from his long career as well as perform satirical songs which he had written. In 2009 he toured once again with the show Clive Swift Entertains. He returned to the world of Doctor Who when the series was successfully relaunched playing Mr Copper in Christmas special 'Voyage of the Damned' (25th December 2007) alongside David Tennant as the timelord. The Old Guys was a BBC sitcom that was headlined by Swift and Roger Lloyd-Pack as two retired gentleman sharing a house and competing for the affections of their attractive neighbour. Swift played the role of Roy, Lloyd-Pack was Tom and Jane Asher played the neighbour, Sally. The series ran for two season during 2009 and 2010. Little Crackers was a series of fifteen minute comedy dramas based on the theme of Christmas. The episodes were written by a variety of comedians and comedy actors who recalled events from their childhood. Irish comedian Chris O’Dowd wrote Capturing Santa (19th December 2010) which features Swift in a cameo role as the real Father Christmas.
More guest starring roles in ongoing dramas followed with Yusef in 'The Delivery”'(18th February 2011), an episode of the BBC drama Hustle, Doctor Rafferty in 'Funeral' (28th August 2014) - an episode of the BBC sitcom Cuckoo and as Colin in 'In The Line of Fire' (3rd June 2015), an episode of the failed BBC comedy drama Sun Trap which starred Bradley Walsh and Kayvan Novak. His final television role was in in an episode of Midsommer Murders playing Felix Hope in the episode 'Crime and Punishment' (4th January 2017). Swift passed away on 1st February 2019 at the age eighty two after a short illness.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/dec/05/once-upon-a-life-margaret-drabble
(accessed 20th July 2017)
[2] http://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2007/10/23/clive_swift_feature.shtml (accessed 20th July 2017)
[3] http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/468624/Richard-Bucket-in-Keeping-Up-Appearances-played-by-Clive-Swift (accessed 20th July 2017)
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