A brilliant comic actor Terry Scott was one of the most familiar faces
on British television in the 1960s and 70s. At the height of his
popularity his classic comedy series, Terry and June, (in which he
co-starred with June Whitfield) was watched by 15 million viewers
weekly.
Born Owen John Scott in Watford he began his theatrical career in his
teens at the Watford Amateur Dramatic Society playing small comic
roles. During the Second World War he served in the Royal Navy and in
1945 he used his demobilisation gratuity to enter show-business as a
manager of seaside shows around Britain.
In 1949 he was contracted by the BBC to appear on a radio show with
comic Bob Monkhouse which was not successful. Later he teamed up with
another comic Bill Maynard which led to the popular TV series Great
Scott, It's Maynard.
On stage in the late 50s he worked in farces with comedians such as
Brian Rix before going on to star in another popular TV comedy Hugh and
I (with Hugh Lloyd) which regularly topped the ratings during the 60s.
In 1969 he joined up with comic actress June Whitfield in the series
Happy Ever After which later evolved into Terry and June and ran for a
record breaking 14 years. In 1978 the Scott and Whitfield were named by
the Variety Club of Great Britain as Join Personalities of the Year.
On the London stage he starred he proved hugely popular in shows such
as A Bed Full of Foreigners, The Mating Game and Run For Your Wife
which he also toured in the Middle East. He was also one of Britain's
most famous pantomime 'dames'.
Scott was dogged by ill-health for many years and in 1979 his life was
saved by a four hour brain operation after a haemorrage. By 1985 he was
suffering from creeping paralysis and often had to wear a neck brace on
stage and TV. When his TV series Terry and June was axed in 1988 he
suffered a nervous breakdown partly brought on by his public confession
that he had indulged in a series of affairs during his marriage to
former dancer Margaret Peden (whom he wed in 1957) and that he was
suffering from cancer.
Danger Mouse(1981)as Penfold, Leatherhead, FBI Guy, Mrs. Penge, Radio Announcer
More Children's Summer Stories(1989)as Penfold
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 2(1989)as Penfold
Mr H Is Late(1988)as Hearse Driver
Timeshift(2002)
Brothers in Arms(2005)
Fathers by Sons(1985)as Self
Give Us a Clue(1979)as Self - Panellist
The Pantomime Dame(1982)as Self
One Foot in the Grave: 30 Years of Laughs(2023)as Terry
Secrets & Scandals of Carry On(2023)as Ugh, the Jungle Boy
