Ivan Beavis(1926-1997)

Acting hadn't been Liverpool-born Ivan's first choice of career. After 3 years in the Fleet Air Arm at the end of WWII (1943 -46), he joined Price Waterhouse accountants in Manchester, then became company accountant for Industrial Models. After contracting TB he spent 6 months in a Shropshire sanatorium. While convalescing in Manchester, he took up amateur dramatics working with a number of companies and made his stage debut as an aging gardener in Man About the House. He was soon taking leading roles and eventually turned professional. After seeing Granada Television's casting director he made his television debut in an episode of The Army Game, which was followed by appearances in such shows as Knight Errant and Biggles. Later, he was cast as widower Harry Hewitt in the new Granada Televisions serial Coronation Street, making his debut as Harry in the second episode in December 1960. He was written out of the show in about 1964. Ivan went on to appear in many of the popular programs such as Z Cars,The Liver Birds, The Onedin Line, Juliet Bravo, Shine on Harvey Moon, The Bill and Casualty. On stage, he acted in the West End and appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Much Ado About Nothing and Romeo and Juliet, among others, and toured with Pat Phoenix (Elsie Tanner) in Gaslight. He died 24 December 1997 aged 71