Chris Gittins MBE (4 July 1902 â€" 21 August 1988) was a British
character actor who played the role of Walter Gabriel in the
long-running BBC radio series The Archers.Gittins was born in
Stourbridge, Worcestershire, where he also died. He was the son of a
gas fitter who became involved with the theatre as an actor, producer
and director, later alternating between the theatre and radio. His
first radio part was on 13 November 1935. He specialised in Black
Country and The Midlands accents. As well as The Archers and radio
plays he took part in Children's Hour and the British Forces
Broadcasting Service.He played the role of Walter Gabriel, a tenant
farmer, in The Archers for 35 years from 1953 to 1988, and was known
nationally for the character's phrase "My old pal, my old beauty". He
also appeared in several TV series including Hilda Lessways (1959) and
Swizzlewick (1964).He died as a widower, leaving one daughter. He was
awarded the MBE in 1984.
character actor who played the role of Walter Gabriel in the
long-running BBC radio series The Archers.Gittins was born in
Stourbridge, Worcestershire, where he also died. He was the son of a
gas fitter who became involved with the theatre as an actor, producer
and director, later alternating between the theatre and radio. His
first radio part was on 13 November 1935. He specialised in Black
Country and The Midlands accents. As well as The Archers and radio
plays he took part in Children's Hour and the British Forces
Broadcasting Service.He played the role of Walter Gabriel, a tenant
farmer, in The Archers for 35 years from 1953 to 1988, and was known
nationally for the character's phrase "My old pal, my old beauty". He
also appeared in several TV series including Hilda Lessways (1959) and
Swizzlewick (1964).He died as a widower, leaving one daughter. He was
awarded the MBE in 1984.
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