The Vicar of Dibley is a beloved Christmas staple across the nation, but some of the cast members have a poignant history behind the scenes.
Dawn French takes centre stage as a vicar who breathes new life into a sleepy village. Initially, the conservative parish council isn’t thrilled with the female appointment, but the haughty David Horton and his colleagues soon warm to Geraldine Granger.
From the profanity-prone farmer Owen Nesbitt to the clueless verger Alice Tinker, the 1990s sitcom is brimming with unforgettable characters and laugh-out-loud moments, from comedic tumbles to sharp-witted retorts. The iconic series kicked off in 1994 and spanned four seasons, with numerous Christmas specials broadcast every festive season.
Regrettably, several of the real individuals behind The Vicar of Dibley’s iconic characters have died. We have delved into what happened to the cast after the show concluded, reports .
Trevor Peacock – Jim Trott
‘No no no no… yes’ was the endearing, clumsy Trevor’s catchphrase that was widely mimicked, making him one of the show’s most cherished characters. Actor Jim made a name for himself performing Shakespeare on stage and had a successful career in television and film.
For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Tiger Aspect Productions Ltd undated handout photo of Dawn French as Reverend Geraldine Granger and James Fleet as Hugo Horton as their appear in The Vicar Of Dibley in Lockdown. PA Photo. Issue date: Friday November 20, 2020. See PA story SHOWBIZ Dibley. Photo credit should read: Des Willie/BBC/Tiger Aspect Productions Ltd/BBC/PA WireNOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption. (Image: PA)
Jim, a gifted individual who died at the age of 89 in March 2021, was also a successful songwriter. He wrote the 1960s pop hit for Herman’s Hermits, Mrs Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter, which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Jim, who was married twice, left behind his sons Daniel and Harry, as well as his daughters Sally and Maudie. Tragically, Trevor was diagnosed with dementia in 2009. Despite this, he appeared in the 2015 Vicar of Dibley Comic Relief Special.
By 2017, however, his condition had worsened significantly, leading him to retire from acting and move into a nursing home in Yeovil. He died on 8 March 2021, aged 89.
Upon hearing of his death, Dawn French paid a simple yet heartfelt tribute: “Night Trev. I love you.”
Gary Waldhorn – David Horton
David was born and bred in Dibley. As Councillor David, he proved to be an excellent adversary for Vicar Geraldine.
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The Vicar of Dibley (Image: )
Gary also starred in the comedy classic Brush Stroke, playing Lionel Bainbridge from 1986 until 1991.
Sadly, Gary died in January 2022 at the age of 78. His son Josh said: “Classically trained, it was the theatre where he truly flourished, and he leaves a legacy of entertainment that saw him frequent the boards of Broadway, the West End, and our living rooms on the telly! He leaves behind his two grandsons, Cooper and Bayley and his son Josh. We will all miss him terribly.”
John Bluthal – Frank Pickle
The character of Frank in the village was infamous for his exceedingly lengthy tales, and in a poignant plotline, he revealed his homosexuality on the radio, only to discover that few had listened in, anticipating another of his long-winded stories.
John, the actor behind Frank, was born in Poland in 1929 and had to escape with his Jewish family to Australia in 1938 to evade the Nazi regime. He relocated to England in 1956, starting an acting career on stage and screen.
His breakout role came in the 1960s as Sid James in Citizen James.
Dawn ‘couldn’t be bothered’ with the upkeep of dying her hair brown (Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
With a stellar career that included roles in the Carry-On series and Pink Panther films, John, father to Nava and Lisa, enjoyed six decades in the limelight. After his passing in November 2018 at 89, Dawn French fondly remembered her former co-star as “cheeky, naughty and hilarious.”
Emma Chambers – Alice Tinker
Emma Chambers immortalised the scatterbrained Alice, earning the British Comedy Award for Best Actress in 1998. She also shone as Honey Thacker in the beloved rom-com Notting Hill, starring alongside Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.
Tragically, Emma died at just 53 in February 2018, reportedly from a heart attack. She was married to fellow actor Ian Dunn.
Dawn, who played Vicar Geraldine, Alice’s confidante on-screen, said: “Emma was a very bright spark and the most loyal and loving friend anyone could wish for,” adding, “I will miss her very much.”
James Fleet – Hugo Horton
From L to R on the back row: James Fleet, John Bluthal, Trevor Peacock and Roger Lloyd-Pack. Front L to R: Emma Chambers, Dawn French and Gary Waldhorn (Image: BBC)
In the hit series, naive Hugo is the offspring of pompous council leader David. Geraldine plays cupid for him and her best friend Alice, much to the chagrin of David, who is incensed at his son and heir’s intention to wed the scatterbrained verger.
James, a married father of a son named Hamish, is also recognised for his role as Tom in the iconic British film Four Weddings and a Funeral. A versatile performer on stage, radio, and television, James has had roles in Grange Hill and The Bill and starred in the films Kevin and Perry Go Large in 2000 and The Spy Who Loved Me in 2018.
He featured in the Three comedy Bad Education, and his character, Robbie Sloane, was killed off after abducting Carla Connor in 2010. James made a significant comeback to the show for a Christmas special – The Vicar Of Dibley in Lockdown.
Now in his 70s, he was recently spotted in ‘s prequel Queen Charlotte, portraying King George III.
Roger Lloyd-Pack – Owen Newitt
Roger Lloyd-Pack played Owen Newitt, a farmer who isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed and frequently arrives late to parish meetings with a different, ridiculous excuse each time. Owen infamously tries to charm vicar Geraldine, who once lets him kiss her, and instantly regrets it due to his appalling hygiene.
Roger Lloyd-Pack, the actor behind the character, was famous for his role as Trigger in the classic sitcom Only Fools and Horses, where he portrayed a dim-witted but endearing road sweeper. He was married twice and had three sons and a daughter, actress Emily Lloyd.
The beloved actor died from pancreatic cancer in January 2014 at the tender age of 69, leaving fans and co-stars alike in mourning. His Only Fools comrades David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst were among those paying their respects at his funeral.
The aired a heartfelt 10-minute homage to the star, with Dawn French praising him as “a really lovely, interesting, complicated man” and remarking that broadcasting the first episode of Only Fools and Horses was the finest homage possible.
Emma Chambers, left, played the wonderfully scatterbrained church verger Alice Horton. (Image: BBC)
Dawn French – Geraldine Granger
Dawn brought to life the role of the unconventional vicar who shook up the village upon her arrival. Despite some initial reservations from the locals, Geraldine won over the community with her down-to-earth nature, although her scandalous antics and occasional coarse language certainly raised eyebrows.
In the series finale, Geraldine married Harry Kennedy, portrayed by Richard Armitage. Dawn, celebrated as Geraldine, is renowned for her work alongside Jennifer Saunders in the comedy sketch show French and Saunders.
A woman of many talents, the actress has graced the stage, television series, and blockbuster movies, not to mention hosting gigs like ITV’s Little Big Shots. Her diverse acting portfolio includes playing Vicky Pollard’s mother in Little Britain, in Lark Rise to Candleford, and in Sky One’s Delicious.
Dawn has also starred in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie and lent her voice to The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Coraline. Her best-selling autobiography, Dear Fatty, was named after her friend Jennifer’s nickname for her.
In 2023, she released a new memoir, The T**t Files.
When The Vicar of Dibley first aired, she was married to comedian Lenny Henry, but they separated in April 2010 after 26 years of marriage. Dawn then tied the knot with charity executive Mark Bignell in 2013, following two years of dating.
Recently, she took centre stage in this year’s M&S Christmas advert. The ad, set to ‘s Step Into Christmas, features Dawn, 67, trudging through the snow-laden with presents and grumbling about exhaustion.
Back home, with the house in disarray and neighbours due for a festive party, Dawn the Fairy steps in to wave her magic wand, decorate the house, prepare the food and give actual Dawn a makeover.
Hugo and Alice were set up by her best pal and after a few false starts, got together (Image: BBC Worldwide/UKTV)
In addition, Dawn has been candid about her weight loss journey over the years, which began in 2011. A cancer scare led the star to lose 7.5 stone for surgery, a decision she has since described as entirely “practical” and not based on her appearance.
In 2020, Dawn candidly admitted that she was “back to being an entire barrel” and didn’t “give a f**k”. She did not disclose how much weight she had regained but asserted her refusal to self-loathe on her podcast French and Saunders: T**ting About: “I’ve gone back to being an entire barrel, but do you know what, I’m going to be 63 this year, I don’t give a f**k, I really don’t, so long as I can walk.”
“I’m not going to be stingy to myself anymore. I never did dislike anything about my body, even when I was very, very fat. I refuse to be forced to dislike myself. I used to get really angry when I did lose weight, people going, ‘You look so well,’ as if you looked awful before – rewarding you for managing it, which is not easy, I accept that. But I didn’t want people to give me approval. It’s so patronising.”
The 67-year-old actress has embraced her natural hair and has stopped dyeing it brunette. “It’s just hair. We spend so much time and money on it. I’m ready for this now and not to be dyeing it anymore,” she confessed.
Snooty David did not want dippy Alice as a daughter-in-law (Image: BBC)
Liz Smith – Letitia Cropley
Liz, known for her role as Letitia Cropley in The Vicar of Dibley, started her acting career late – she was 49 when she appeared in a Mike Leigh film. The Vicar of Dibley made her a household name as Letitia or Mrs Cropley, best known for her creative cooking.
The librarian appeared for seven episodes and died in the 1996 Easter Special.
Liz, a mother of two, later became a household name for her role as Nana in The Royle Family, the quirky and unforgettable head of the family. Liz described her character’s death in an episode titled ‘The Queen of Sheba’ as the most emotionally challenging of her career.
This episode was re-aired just days before the actress herself died in December 2016, at the age of 95.