11th March 1923
Charlie Hungerford actor is born
Terence Alexander played Charlie Hungerford in the BBC’s long-running Jersey-set detective series, Bergerac. His character was the father of Deborah, Jim’s ex-wife, and he and Jim had an amicable, although occasionally slightly irritable, friendship.
Although Alexander was born in London, he grew up in Yorkshire, as was obvious from his accent, which was referred to now and then in the series. He was portrayed as an incomer who had moved to the island, bringing many of his business interests with him. Not all of these interests were legitimate. As a result, Hungerford was frequently a useful source for Jim Bergerac – particularly when the latter needed information about those occupying the “upper” echelons of Jersey society. What Hungerford got in return was never entirely clear.
Not just Bergerac
Although he may be best remembered for playing Charlie Hungerford, Alexander had a long and successful career both before and beyond Bergerac. Alongside stage work, he appeared as an occasional character in many of television’s biggest series of the 1960s, 70s and 80s, including The Avengers, The Persuaders, Doctor Who, Dempsey and Makepeace, The New Statesman, and character-led sitcom Terry and June.
He was blind in one eye by the time he’d landed his role in Bergerac, and retired from the profession altogether a few years after it came to an end. He died in London on 28 May 2009.
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Other events that occured in March
Female murderer is a court sensation
- The court was full when 40-year-old Mary le Gendre answered the charge of murder. She pleaded not guilty of stabbing a Centenier to death.
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Publisher and ad-man Sir Hedley Le Bas dies
- Sir Hedley Le Bas came up with the slogan Your Country Needs You, which Britain used in its First World War recruitment campaign.
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Singer and actress Alma Stanley dies in prison
- Jersey-born Alma Stanley, who had been one of the most famous stage actors of her time, died in Holloway prison in 1931.
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BBC Radio Jersey takes to the air
- BBC Radio Jersey went on the air in March 1982, after the States had debated whether to welcome the national broadcaster to the island.
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