Credits include Hunderby, Birds Of A Feather and Cuckoo

Northern Irish actor James Greene, who appeared in a string of comedies over a long career, has died at the age of 89.

He played the footman Old Ian in six episodes of Julia Davis' period comedy Hunderby, head of science John Hubble in the David Walliams sitcom Big School, and Stanley in a 2013 episode of Birds Of A Feather, pictured. 

He had a brief role as a Scottish bishop in the 2003 Johnny English film alongside Rowan Atkinson  and his last screen role was  as multimillionaire  poultry tycoon Gordon Andrews in the Greg Davies sitcom Cuckoo  in 2019.

Away from comedy, Greene played  murder victim Bob Franklin in the Channel 4 psychological thriller Born To Kill, appeared in all 18 episodes of William And Mary, from 2003-2005 and played the abbot in the 2013 Doctor Who story The Bells Of Saint John

Confirming the news of his death, Greene’s agent said:  ‘He was a great ambassador for his native Northern Ireland, where he was a continuity announcer for Ulster Television from 1959 to 1965.’ 

The actor has 156 credits on IMDB, dating back to 1972.

Published: 6 Jan 2021