Inside the cast of On The Buses now – harrowing fire, cancer battle and tragic suicide

Anna Karen was a household name in the 70s thanks to her role on the hit LWT comedy series On The Buses.

The late actress was part of an iconic line-up for the comical show that followed the life of fictional characters who worked on the London bus scene.

She passed away after being caught in a horrific house fire that ravaged her home in Ilford, Essex, and claimed her life on Tuesday night (February 22).

Her tragic death is the end of an era for fans of the classic sitcom who followed her work from her days as Olive Rudge all the way through to starring alongside lifelong friend Barbara Windsor as Peggy Mitchell’s sister Aunt Sal in EastEnders.

Many of the famous stars from the TV series remain loved and remembered, and to celebrate their impressive show, Daily Star has looked back at the famous faces.

Stephen Lewis

Stephen was born in Poplar, East London, with his roots making him the ideal choice to play Inspector Cyril “Blakey” Blake.

His character was the arch-enemy of the conductors played by Reg Varney and Bob Grant, with their bus depot rivalry coining the catchphrase “I hate you, Butler.”

Stephen peacefully passed away in 2015 Cambridge Nursing Home, in Wanstead, East London at the age of 88.

Reg Varney

Reg began his career performing in a stage duo with Benny Hill, but the East Londoner found fame when he was cast as conductor Stan Butler.

Alongside his time on the popular TV show he featured in many other films and shows during the ’60s and ’70s, but later fell victim to his health.

Reg survived two heart attacks and a stroke before he passed away in 2008 at the age of 92 in a nursing home following a chest infection.

Bob Grant

Bob played the cheeky bus conductor Jack Harper as an integral part of the On The Buses family.

He featured in many spin offs across the years and featured in various other films and TV shows, but his stint as Jack Harper was certainly his most famed.

Despite his successful career, his mental health suffered throughout his life and he had an ongoing battle with depression.

After previous attempts to take his own life, he died by suicide in 2003 at 71-years-old.

Bob was married to his wife, Kim Benwell at the time and he had a daughter, Charlotte Grant.

Doris Hare

Known as Stan’s “mum” from the second series of the show, Doris was a star of the West End and Broadway appearing in numerous theatre productions including for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Shortly before she was cast in On The Buses she turned down the role of Coronation Street icon Ena Sharples.

She did undertake a smaller job in the soap as Alice Pickens who was due to marry Albert Tatlock but the nuptials were called off.

Doris died in 2000 at the age of 95 at the Middlesex based actor’s retirement home, Denville Hall, in Northwood.

Michael Robbins

Michael was best known as playing Olive’s misogynistic husband and king of the put-downs Arthur Rudge.

He tragically died of prostate cancer in his Surrey home in 1992, aged 62.

Michael was survived by his wife Hal Dyer and his two children, Ben Robbins and Sarah Cliffe, but sadly, in 2011 she died from a brain haemorrhage.

Cicely Courtneidge

Often forgotten for her brief stint as mum in the original 1969 black and white debut series, the Australian actress paved the way for Doris to takeover.

Again, Cicely had an incredible career with many films and TV shows dating back to the ’30s when she began her long and impressive film career.

After many, many years of experience and success behind her, she sadly passed away in April 1980 shortly after her 87th birthday, at a nursing home in Putney.

Anna Karen

Anna Karen was famous for both her stint on On The Buses and as Aunt Sal in EastEnders – she also became a close friend of the late Barbara Windsor.

Actress Anna Karen died aged 85 following a house fire in east London.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at her home in Ilford on Tuesday (February 22) evening.

The fire brigade and police kicked down the door, but the later confirmed the boy of a woman was found and confirmed that the cause of fire is not thought to be suspicious.

For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk