Vale: Reg Varney
Reg Varney, better known as ‘Stan Butler’ in British sitcom On the Buses on died Sunday. He was 92.
Varney died at a nursing home in south-west England, after a short illness.
Born in east London in 1916, Varney began his career as a singer, piano player and comic in the rough-and-tumble world of pubs, music halls and working men’s clubs. He joined the Royal Electrical Engineers during World War II but continued to perform as part of a touring show entertaining the troops.
After the war he kept touring the music hall circuit and played a variety of television roles before becoming a household name in Britain with On the Buses.
Playing Stan Butler, a happy-go-lucky driver tormented by the ire of his irascible boss, ‘Inspector Blake’, who would frequently utter the words “I’ll get you Butler!”
The show was a huge hit, running for seven series between 1969 and 1973, including three feature films and a stage show. He is survived by his daughter, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Source: SMH
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Stephen Lewis is currently being interviewed by Police in relation to this incident. They think he might have finally carried out his threat of “I’ll get you Butler”
Seriously, a great loss! He’ll be sorely missed, another link to classic British comedy gone….
Wow, 92 is a mightily impressive run. RIP Mr Varney.
Ross Noble and Tony Martin will be paying their respects, I’m sure.
He did have a good run. RIP.
Alright you lot - this funeral was due out 10 minutes ago! - hehe
lol matt. Interesting factoid is that Reg was 20 years older then the guy who played “Blakey”..you wouldn’t know it by looking at them.
One of the best series of the 70s..i still watch it now,RIP Reg and best of luck in your next life.
sad all the greats are dying off now. Gee he was funny.
Another great comedy great gone,but what a great life for him too live until 92 years old,loved his series On The Buses and still watch it today and still laugh,it was one of the best comedies of the 1970s. RIP Reg.
Very sad to read this today. He will be sorely missed. As someone else said, all the British Greats are dying off, and our link to them is now purely DVD’s, where we can re-live those funny moments. There will never be anything like the British comedians of the 60’s, 70’s and (lesser extent) 80’s again.
I’m 34, but I remember watching the movie Holiday on the Buses (1973) in the UK back in the late 1980s on TV, and a friend and I had a great time reciting the lines and drawing caricatures of the characters.
Thanks for the laughs, Reg. Rest in peace.
Reg Varney was a true comedic talent. I thoroughly enjoyed his work in On The Buses as well as in the wonderful movie Double Take.
Most people from my era are probably saying “Who died?” but I was lucky enough to grow up surrounded by classic comedies, especially English ones.
Thank you for all the laughs you have given me and my family Reg. You must’ve seen a lot in your life time. R.I.P.