Bernard Youens
Bernard YouensChildren:
Played: Stan Ogden
(1964 - 21 November 1984)
Bernard Youens got his start in the theatre early in life, working as an assistant stage manager aged 16, at the Player's Theatre in Newcastle Upon Tyne, where he had moved with his parents two years previously. He subsequently worked in many other repertory theatres before the war.
His thespian ambitions were put on hold while he saw service in North Africa, Egypt and Anzio with the 1st Battalion, Loyal's Regiment. After demob he returned to the theatre, and also took turns as a publican, a bread salesman, and a building labourer.
In 1956 Bernard was offered a position as continuity announcer with Granada Television, where he came to be known as the "velvet voiced" presenter/announcer. Interestingly, in 1960 he was offered a chance to audition for the new serial Coronation Street, but turned down the opportunity, opting instead to stay with a job that he felt offered more security - important with five children to feed! However, he did also take on acting roles in ITV series such as Shadow Squad and Knight Errant over this time.
In 1964, with The Street a firm hit, he answered an audition call for new cast members. He was matched with Jean Alexander as wife Hilda, and after uttering his first line (in where else, but The Rovers Return): "A pint of mild and twenty fags, missus", Stan Ogden was born.
Stan became famous for his exploits, which included suing the local authorities for compensation after a trip over a paving stone "injured" his great toe. His admirers banded together to form the "Stan Ogden Appreciation Society of Newton Abbot", and he was dubbed "the greatest living Englishman".
In the 1970's Bernard suffered a series of heart attacks, followed by two strokes. His speech was badly impaired, but he was adamant that Stan not retire. Bernard hired a speech therapist, and a new character - EddieYeats - was brought onto the Street to lodge with the Ogdens and take over Stan's window cleaning business, and take some of the strain off Bernard's role. Eddie, played by Geoffrey Hughes, shared the main dialogue with Hilda, and Bernard was able to carry on, despite restricted movement, until late 1983.
Bernard Youens final appearance on Coronation Street, although he wouldn't have known at the time, was to be on 7th March 1984. He was admitted to Hospital with Arthritis in early April 1984, He had a second stroke in May (He had the first one around 1982) and had to have his leg amputated after gangrene was discovered in mid July 1984 and died on 27th August 1984 in his sleep, aged 69.
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