Keith Clifford

Keith Clifford (born 20 June 1938) is a retired British former actor best known for his role as Billy Hardcastle in Last of the Summer Wine between 1999 and 2006.

Career Clifford was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire.

He played Billy Hardcastle in the British sitcom Last of the Summer Wine from 1999 until he decided to leave the programme at the end of series 27 in 2006. Billy was a comedy character who believed he was a direct descendant of Robin Hood.

Clifford also made guest appearances on Dear Ladies, Heartbeat, Dalziel and Pascoe and an episode of Cold Feet, and appeared in the TV film Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise (2001). In 2007 Clifford played Frank Nicholls in Coronation Street having previously appeared in the series in the guises of different characters, that of Les Battersby's mate, Charlie West, and Harry Norton, a showbiz associate of Alec Gilroy. He won a Sony Radio Award in 1993 for his portrayal of the Lancashire comedian Frank Randle in the radio play Randle's Scandals.

Clifford has four children, twin sons and two daughters.

Television roles