Colin Bennett (actor)

Colin Bennett is a RADA trained actor, perhaps most famous for his role as Mr Bennett, the accident prone caretaker and straightman for Tony Hart in the BBC children's programmes Take Hart (1977–1983) and Hartbeat (1984–1989). He also portrayed the father in the 1985 Yellow Pages/Hornby advert Signal Box.

Bennett graduated RADA in 1973[1] where he was named most promising actor of the year.[2]

Amongst other TV duties he presented Night Shift and You Should Be So Lucky, as well as appearing in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as Zarquon. He also made a guest appearance in Last of the Summer Wine in 1999. He wrote a couple of TV series including Captain Zep - Space Detective and Luna before moving into the production field. He has a background in acting in and directing plays notably in 1978 appearing in, and directing, a musical version of The Point! alongside Davy Jones and Mickey Dolenz.[3] Bennett later worked with Dolenz on Luna.[4]

In 1987 Bennett's play "Hancock's Finest Hour" about Tony Hancock with Jim McManus in the starring role was staged at the Boulevard Theatre in London.[5][6][7] The play was revived in 2008 with Paul Henry in the title role.[8]

In the mid-eighties Bennett was influential in the UK electro scene, managing Broken Glass.

Bennett runs a production company, An Acquired Taste TV Corp, and has been making broadcast television for about 17 years.

He retired from acting in 2002, reportedly suffering from ill health,[9] but has since resumed acting.