Bill Maynard

He was forced to retire temporarily from acting in 2000 after suffering a number of strokes, the final one being while he was filming for "Heartbeat" in which he had played Claude Jeremiah Greengrass for ten seasons. The character of Claude was written out, mid-series, in such a way that Bill Maynard could return if his health improved: in the story, Claude moved to the West Indies to live with his sister, who won a lot of money and wanted to share it with him ( "Heartbeat" {Safe House (#10.12)} ). He returned to acting in 2003, playing the same character in "The Royal" , a spin-off from "Heartbeat" . It is set in hospital and he was in bed a lot, but appeared to have recovered.

Bill has specialized in playing character and comedy roles.

When told that Williams was too common a surname to use professionally, he adopted the name Maynard after seeing a sign advertising Maynards Wine Gums.

Lost part of the middle finger of his right hand in a childhood accident with a mangle.

His second wife is Tonia Bern -Campbell, widow of Donald Campbell who died trying to break the world water speed record in 1967.

Two children with Muriel Linnett: Martin (born 1951) (later known as Maynard Williams ) and Jane (born 1954).

Despite appearing in five of the Carry On films, he is said to be baffled by their popularity.

Participated in the Invasion of Normandy, and in the Battle of the Bulge.