British actor Geoffrey Bayldon has passed away at the age of 93. The Leeds-born star is famed for appearing in children's shows Catweazle and Worzel Gummidge. BBC's Lizo Mzimba confirmed the news of his death on Thursday, writing on Twitter: "Sad news. Actor Geoffrey Bayldon, best known for playing Catweazle and Worzel Gummidge’s Crowman has passed away aged 93 his agency has says [sic]."
British actor Geoffrey Bayldon has passed away at the age of 93
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Geoffrey trained at the Old Vic Theatre School, before starting his career in Shakespeare and theatre. As well as his TV roles, the late actor starred as Q in the original Casino Royale and played the vicar in the film versions of Steptoe and Son and Steptoe and Son Ride Again. Geoffrey was also approached by the BBC - twice - to play the first Doctor in Doctor Who. However, he turned down the role as he thought the character was too old for him to play.
The star was famed for appearing in Catweazle and Worzel Gummidge
In 2011, Geoffrey revealed he had no regrets about not taking on the role of the Doctor. "I've never been in love with sci-fi. It doesn't terribly interest me," he explained. "I turned it down simply because I'd been playing old men and I didn't want to play anymore. I didn't read a script so I never turned an offer down and when I got Catweazle, I thought, 'That's why I turned Doctor Who down'. I've played the part on audios since and thoroughly enjoyed doing it." Catweazle was an ITV children's show which aired in 1970 for two years. He played the title character, an eccentric 11th century wizard who accidentally travels into the future by magic.
