Heartbreaking news: British acting legend’s devastating de@th at just 31 – undiscovered for hours
Richard Beckinsale, the much-loved star of Porridge, was just 31 when he d!ed of a heart attack in his sleep in 1979.
The father starred in beloved UK soap Porridge (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
He was among Britain’s most cherished actors with a leading part in one of the era’s most beloved television programmes.
But at just 31, Richard Beckinsale, the young star of the comedy Porridge alongside Ronnie Barker, d!ed tragically of a heart attack in his sleep. Devastatingly, his body wasn’t found for several hours.
Richard was father to Hollywood star Kate Beckinsale, who was just five when her father d!ed, along with her sister Samantha. He also left behind his 32-year-old actress wife Judy Loe when he d!ed at such a tragically young age in 1979.
The Porridge star was an emerging household name in the 1970s and would now have been 79. His premature de@th at just 31 sent shockwaves throughout the entertainment industry, according to People.
That year, Beckinsale had completed Porridge and was engaged in a new sitcom called Bloomers, set in a florist’s shop, reports the Daily Star.
Richard Beckinsale with co-star Paula Wilcox in The Lovers (Image: Mirrorpix)
He had also landed a part in a Stephen Frears film titled Bloody Kids. Before the tragic incident, Beckinsale had informed his wife he wasn’t feeling well, having suffered blackouts and dizzy spells.
Nevertheless, his GP assured him there was nothing wrong, putting his symptoms down to marginally elevated cholesterol levels and an overactive stomach lining.
While Judy was in hospital for surgery, Beckinsale carried on with his professional obligations and attended a showbiz party on 17 March 1979. The gathering served as a send-off party for the Two Ronnies, who were preparing to depart for Australia, and Beckinsale socialised with fellow celebrities, among them David Jason.
Richard was only 31 when he tragically d!ed (Image: undefined)
The next day, he returned to the set of Bloomers and took Kate to visit her mother in hospital. Judy had been admitted for a routine procedure.
Following the visit, he dropped Kate off with relatives where she was to spend the night, before heading back to the family home in Berkshire.
It is understood that he made several phone calls that evening, to his eldest daughter Samantha and a handful of friends, mentioning that he was experiencing chest pains.
The actor reportedly dismissed his health concerns with a joke before retiring to bed. The next morning, Beckinsale failed to appear on the Bloomers set, prompting anxious production staff to telephone his home.
They spoke with a family friend who had arrived at the house that morning to help care for Kate. She informed the Bloomers crew that Beckinsale appeared to still be asleep, but upon attempting to rouse him, she realised something was gravely wrong.
A doctor was summoned and confirmed that Beckinsale had passed away in his sleep several hours earlier. It subsequently emerged that he had suffered a heart attack, and a post-mortem examination uncovered a congenital defect that had previously gone undetected.
Kate says she still watches his shows to feel close to him (Image: ExpressStar)
Within days of his de@th, the BAFTA Awards proceeded as scheduled in London, where his former Porridge co-star Ronnie Barker paid an emotional tribute while accepting his award. He said “We’ve lost the best young comedy actor this country has ever had.”
His daughter Kate, an actress herself, remains deeply affected by his absence, revealing that revisiting her father’s classic television programmes provides solace, helping her maintain a connection with him.
Tragically Kate lost her step father in 2024 (Image: undefined)
In a heartbreaking turn in 2024, Kate opened up about experiencing grief once more after losing her cherished stepfather, Roy Battersby. She said: “This is my first year without any father figure at all for a long long time. How familiar this falling through an abyss… I hope your energies have met”.
Kate’s mother and Richard’s widow, Judy, d!ed last year. Paying tribute to her mother, the Underworld actress Kate said: “The vastness and huge heart of this tiny woman has touched so many people who love her dearly. She has been brave in so many ways, forgiving sometimes too much, believing in the ultimate good in people and the world is so dim without her that it is nearly impossible to bear.”
