THE death of stage and television actor Glyn Owen has prompted a letter from Mr Albert Airey of Gunters Avenue, Daisy Hill, Westhoughton.

Mr Owen, who was 76, had a 50-year career which included spells as Dr Patrick O'Mara in Emergency Ward 10 and Jack Rolfe in Howard's Way.

He spent his teenage years in Egerton, where he lived with his grandma.

Mr Airey writes: "He had a good singing voice and was a member of Walmsley Church choir.

"He worked at Alexandre's tailors, Deansgate before becoming a telegram boy when telegrams were delivered by bike from Deansgate post office.

"We were both members of Walmsley Operatic and Dramatic Society in the war years and he 'cut his teeth' in some one act plays and an Agatha Christie thriller in which he played Captain Hastings alongside my Hercule Poirot.

"He was called up for National Service and served in the Royal Army Service Corps, posted to the War Office, London. He never came back to Bolton"

Mr Airey remembers that Mr Owen served in the Metropolitan Police until he was offered a part in "Flare Path", a London play which was the start of his full-time acting careers.

"We lost touch many years ago, but I remember him on Terry Wogan's chat show, where he sang 'Old Man River' -- still in good voice. I last saw him years ago at the Forum, Wythenshawe, where he played the headmaster in Colin Welland's 'Roll On 4 o'clock.'

"In many ways he reminded me of Farnworth's Frank Findlay, both successful actors."