This Is Your Life: John Bardon

John BARDON (1939-2014)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - John Bardon, actor, was surprised by Michael Aspel - with the help of actor Ian Lavender - while filming a scene for the BBC television soap opera EastEnders at the BBC Elstree Studios.

John, who was born in Brentford, spent several years working with the amateur drama group The Taverners before turning professional in 1970 at the age of thirty when he joined the Northcott Theatre repertory company in Exeter. He later found work in minor roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company before appearing in dozens of television dramas and comedies, including the sitcom Up the Elephant and Round the Castle and the drama series Rumpole of the Bailey.

On stage, his one-man show based on the life of comedian Max Miller had considerable success during the early 1980s, and his appearance in the RSC's production of Kiss Me Kate won him an Olivier Award for best actor in a musical in 1987. He joined the cast of the BBC television soap opera EastEnders in 1996 as Jim Branning, a part which made him a household name.

"Oh leave it out! Alright Michael! Here we go son, here we go!"

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