Joe Gladwin

Joseph "Joe" Gladwin (22 January 1906 – 11 March 1987) was a British actor. He was best known in his roles as myopic Stan Hardman in Nearest and Dearest from 1968 to 1973, and Wally Batty in the world's longest-running sitcom, Last of the Summer Wine in 1975, and again from 1976 to 1987.

Biography

Gladwin was born at 44 Tatton Street in the Ordsall district of Salford, Lancashire, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Gladwin (née Dooley). He was baptised on 28 January 1906 at Mount Carmel RC Church, Ordsall and educated at the parish school. He married Lily Anne Wynne on 30 December 1933 at Mount Carmel Church. Gladwin was appointed a Papal Knight (of the Order of St. Gregory the Great) for his charity work. Gladwin also served as Northern representative of the Catholic Stage Guild. Despite his lifelong rhotacism (which he concealed when acting by substituting the letter R for a guttural sound), he became well known in British television, especially prominent from 1975 until his death in 1987.