The Upper Hand entertained viewers for years after the first episode of the ITV programme aired in 1990.
After its first episode, the sitcom aired a huge 94 episodes and came to an end in 1996. The show, adapted from US sitcom Who’s the Boss?, followed affluent divorcee Caroline Wheatley, who raised her son Tom with the assistance of her mother, Laura West.
Caroline and Laura were hiring a housekeeper for their place in Henley-On-Thames in Oxfordshire and former footballer Charlie Burrows applied for the job. He wanted to make a better life for his teen daughter Joanna and moves from a deprived part of London.
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Fans adored watching the comedy and romance storylines unfold with the programme’s much-loved characters. Where are the cast now? Here’s what happened to the beloved actors, with some you may have seen on television since.
Honor Blackman – Laura West
(Image: Getty Images)
Actress Honor played the role of Caroline’s mother, Laura West. The glamorous character was known for being something of a man-eater and she dated a string of different men during the series. Honor later became known for playing the iconic Pussy Galore in the James Bond series and she became one of the film franchise’s all0time favourite Bond girls.
(Image: Carlton Television)
She appeared in with the late Sean Connery in 1964’s Goldfinger. Fans may have also seen Honor as action girl Cathy Gale in the television series The Avengers back in the 1960s. She appeared alongside Patrick Macnee, who she recorded novelty song Kinky Boots with in 1964. Honor sadly died aged 94 in 2020.
Diana Weston – Caroline Wheatley
(Image: Wire)
Diana played successful advertising executive Caroline Wheatley on The Upper Hand. Caroline excelled in her professional career, but struggled more in her personal life. The series saw her raise son Tom with her mum Laura and she became more relaxed when Charlie arrived on the programme.
(Image: Central Broadcasting)
Viewers may have seen Diane in a vast array of television roles since her time on The Upper Hand.She’s starred in Emmerdale, Casualty, My Family, New Tricks and Jonathan Creek. She also ventured into the world of music in the video for 1984 Ultravox single, Dancing With Tears In My Eyes.
Joe McGann – Charlie Burrows
(Image: BBC)
Joe starred in The Upper Hand as housekeeper Charlie. The actor’s character dreamed of becoming a footballer but couldn’t due to suffering an injury. He joins the show as the housekeeper at the Henley-on-Thames property to give his daughter a better life.
McGann is still acting to this day and has starred in shows such as Night and Day, Casualty and Midsomer Murders. Soap fans may have seen him recently play the villainous Edward Hutchinson in Hollyoaks, who died after eating a poisoned mince pie.
Joe has spoken publicly about his battle with depression. Speaking to The Mirror, he said his “low times” were at their peak during The Upper Hand.
Kellie Bright – Joanna Burrows
(Image: BBC)
Television star Kellie played Charlie’s hilarious daughter Joanna on The Upper Hand. At the start the character resented Caroline, but she began to appreciate having another woman around as she grew up. Kellie has starred in an array of shows and is most famous for her current role of Linda Carter in EastEnders.
(Image: BBC)
She joined the BBC soap in 2013 and her latest storyline saw her demand that Sharon Watts returns the Queen Vic pub back to her. Kellie has also acted in Casualty, Vera, Rock and Chips and The Catherine Tate Show.
William Puttock – Tom Wheatley
(Image: BBC)
William played Caroline’s adorable son Tom in the television programme. Tom is somewhat spoiled by his single-mother Caroline on the show at first. He grows close to Charlie through their mutual love of sports, and Tom starts to see him as a father figure. Former actor William also starred in The Geeks and This Is Your Life, but has since given up acting and now lives his life away from the spotlight.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
