Michael Redfern – who starred in Oxo commercials – has died aged 79.
His son Ashley confirmed the sad news on Friday as he paid tribute to the “much-loved character” who was part of one of “Britain’s favorite TV families”.
Actor Michael, who appeared alongside his on-screen wife Lynda Bellingham in adverts, died last Friday at his home in Spain following an illness.
Sad news: Michael Redfern – who starred in Oxo commercials – has died aged 79 (pictured with on-screen wife Lynda Bellingham in 1987)
Ashley, told the Mirror: “Over the years he has appeared in a variety of roles, including lead roles in the soap opera United!, The Newcomers as well as roles in classics such as The Two Ronnies, Porridge and Some Mothers Do Av ‘Em.
“He was of course best known for his role in the Oxo adverts, which he played for 17 years and became a much-loved figure in one of Britain’s favorite TV families.
“He will be sadly missed by his wife Carol and his family.”for 16 years between 1983 and 1999.
Michael was best known for his role as Father Oxo in the commercial which aired for 16 years between 1983 and 1999 where he starred alongside Lynda as Mom Oxo.
Loss: Son Ashley confirmed the sad news on Friday as he paid tribute to the ‘much-loved character who was part of one of Britain’s ‘favorite TV families’
Gone too soon: Actor Michael died last Friday at his home in Spain following an illness
Lynda died aged 66 in the arms of husband Michael Pattemore at a London hospital in 2014 after a year-long battle with colon cancer, which had spread to her lungs and liver .
Just before her death, the Loose Women star revealed her plans to end her chemotherapy but hoped to spend one last Christmas with her family.
In a statement on behalf of Bellingham’s family, her agent, Sue Latimer, said: ‘Lynda died peacefully in her husband’s arms yesterday at a London hospital.
“His family would like to thank the nurses and staff for their exceptional care and support. Actor, writer and presenter – until the end, Lynda was a consummate professional.
Tough: Lynda (pictured) died aged 66 in the arms of husband Michael Pattemore in a London hospital in 2014 after a year-long battle with colon cancer, which had spread to her lungs and liver
Star: He kept a low profile after the ads ended in 1999 and left the UK with his wife Carol
Michael previously said of his work with Lynda, “I was a face but she was a name and a really good actress.”
He kept a low profile after the commercials ended in 1999 and left the UK with his wife Carol.
The star previously told the Dorset Echo of her life after the Oxo adverts: ‘The other work dried up in those years because I was so high profile.
“But it was fabulous, they were really nice people. Linda was awesome – it was a very happy job.
Sad day: Michal is pictured on November 3, 2014 attending Lynda’s funeral in Crewkerne following her death from cancer
In addition to iconic commercials, Michael has also starred in The Young Detectives, Crossroads, The Offence, And Mother Makes Five, George & Mildred, Robin’s Nest, The Young Ones, Filthy, Rich and Catflap, Boon and Fool’s Gold: The Story of the Flight of Brink’s-Mat.
He also had roles in comedies such as Man About the House with Richard O’Sullivan, Bless This House with Sid James and Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em with Michael Crawford.
He was also in an episode of EastEnders and Doctors, while also making a guest appearance on 1982’s Porridge and The Two Ronnies Christmas Special.
The first Oxo family appeared on screen in 1958 as Katie – played by Mary Holland – a devoted wife committed to caring for her husband Philip, played by Richard Clarke.
Talent: In addition to iconic commercials, Michael has also starred in The Young Detectives, Crossroads, The Offence, And Mother Makes Five and George & Mildred.
Katie and her slogan that Oxo ‘gives every meal a male appeal’ have proved so popular that housewives across Britain have started writing to her for advice.
She appeared for 18 years before being phased out in the 1970s to be replaced by Minder star Dennis Waterman.
The Oxo family was then launched in 1983, causing a 10% increase in sales as Britain warmed to the bickering and bickering family.
The award-winning campaign was hailed as groundbreaking because it showed a working mother juggling a job while caring for her family, rather than an idealized “domestic goddess”.
Much Loved: A scene from the September 1999 Oxo commercial that ended the series featuring Lynda (second from left) and her on-screen husband Michael, who had been racing since 1983
It ran for 16 years, spanning 42 “episodes”, before being scrapped with a final episode, showing the family packing up their belongings as they prepared to move.
Oxo tried a new “modern” family in 2001 with a screenplay by Four Weddings and funeral writer Richard Curtis.
And in 2009, the brand got a makeover again with the launch of “The Oxo Factor”.
Real families filmed their own dinner parties and the winning film was screened during The X Factor finale on ITV1.
Director of Grocery Brands at Premier Foods, Mark Tyldesley, said: “Because the OXO TV family was so beloved, we wanted to bring back a piece of the brand’s iconic heritage while updating it to reflect family life today.
“We recognize that ‘traditional’ roles within the typical British family have changed and that children are just as likely to look to their dads for advice in the kitchen – or life in general, as they are their mother, that’s why we decided to return to the popular OXO family, but with the particularity that this time, “dad is in charge”.‘
Iconic: An advert screened in 1985 featuring Lynda (pictured left) teaching her daughter Alison Reynolds a lesson in home economics