Bernard Hill, RIP

Sad to hear of the passing of Bernard "Yosser Hughes" Hill.

Aside from that performance that captured the sentiment of the 80s, he also went on to develop a great portfolio. Lord of the Rings, Titanic, appeared in a Clint Eastwood directed film and more recently appeared in the Responder series, based in Liverpool.

Sleep well.

I left Liverpool for the first time in 1981, with Thatcher as Prime Minister, I felt there was a nasty bit of work.

Mum sent me out recordings for a VCR of Boys from the Blackstuff. I cried a lot during that series, the hopelessness, the dark humor and the bitterness. It's a feeling about home that forever captured the essence of being a scouser.

Yosser Hughes, broken, belligerent:

"l'm desperate, Father."
"That's okay, my son, call me Dan."
"I'm desperate Dan."

Immortal humor, sad funny, heart breaking, beautifully written, fabulously acted..

Later in the series, The Green Man on Vauxhall Road, scene of shake hands... with my dad and grandad as extras in their favourite watering hole behind Portland Gardens.

Majestically played the captain of the Titanic, hard to fathom it was the same actor as Yosser. Sad loss, sleep well Bernard. RIP.

A man who played a major part brilliantly in a series that played such a massive part in our culture and heritage.

The fact that Thatcher was prepared to leave Liverpool to a managed decline tells us a lot about that evil woman, especially when you see a city that is completely full of life with so many visitors every single weekend nowadays.

The city is hardly reconisable from the one I left to join the Army. Although I went back to my roots and it has always and always will be home.

Everyone I speak to loves visiting. Mostly due to the people.

Queens Square, Liverpool One, the Albert Dock and the most stunning waterfront in the world. Wait until we add the 5th Grace.

So proud of our city! It has risen from adversity.

Apologies, I get emotional about my home city.

Just don't ever call me a Liverpudlian!!

RIP Bernard Hill.

You left us with an eternal memory of "Yosser Hughes" with Oscar worthy performances.

Take your final bow, sir.

You are fondly remembered by all.

Reading about Bernard Hill and his brilliant portrayal of the demented Yosser in Boys From The Black Stuff, it surprised me that there were only six episodes of this well remembered series.

It was one of those series that were unmissable and you couldn't wait for the next one. When The Boat Comes In was another one… Poverty in a different era and place.

It always grated on me that it was spelt with two 's's. This leads all the BBC correspondents to pronounce it with a hard s.

Maybe it was just a Kirkby thing, but every Hughes I knew was called 'YoZZer', never 'YoSSer'.

Difficult times, Dave. We ended up losing our house. Mum and the family living in a bedsit before they got a council house.

Me living between Aunties in Speke and Croxteth.

Tough times, but great times to be an Evertonian.

Classic scene in the Green Man with “Shake Hands”. Brilliant when Yosser comes in and gives Shake Hands a Kirkby Kiss…………….

https://www.tiktok.com/@shaun23675/video/7257140171873766682

"Gizza job" - say no more, RIP Yozzer, best miserable (but lovable) face ever...

If the 1878s are reading.

A Boys from the Blue Stuff Banner with Bernard's image at the Sheffield United match.

I was speaking to Ian McKellen last summer in the boozer he owns on Narrow Street in Limehouse where if he is around he handles the Monday night quiz, and the depth of his admiration for Bernard Hill as an actor and person was quite moving. He also could not speak highly enough of Blackstuff.

My first memory of BH was John, Paul, George, Ringo … and Bert at the Everyman when I was a young lad. (Did a little bit of treading the boards myself, I’ll have you know!). BH was so versatile! I saw him in The Cherry Orchard at the Aldwych in London and at The Theatre Royal Haymarket in the next year (where I also saw our own Sam Hoare in Breakfast at Tiffany’s!).

Macbeth, Twelfth Night, Henry IV Parts 1-3, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Richard III, I Claudius, Shirley Valentine, The Wind in the Willows. The Lord of the Rings, The League of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse, Great Expectations, the Duke of Norfolk in Wolf Hall! What a range!

I have a soft spot for A Very Social Secretary where BH was nominated for a BAFTA and Emmy for his David Blunkett.

But, needless to say, Blackstuff was the first thing I thought of when I heard this dreadful news yesterday. I felt much the same as when I first heard that Joe Strummer, Rik Mayall, and Jeremy Hardy had left us: people who had become totem points of reference and identity in my own life. Blackstuff was the perfect drama for that time. It meant so much. The strongest anti-Thatcher statement.

I love the scenes that matter so much to others on here. For me, the most moving and memorable moment was Chrissie wheeling George in his chair through the docks with the politically poignant and human contrast between past and present. George finally slipping away and Christine’s Green Man.

Hard to believe that BH was a manc and a life-long Man-U supporter who narrated Old Trafford 100 Years in 2010. But we can perhaps forgive him that.

RIP and never to be forgotten honurary scouser and the iconic 1982 figure Bernard Hill.

The Guardian has a great obituary:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/may/06/bernard-hill-obituary

According to his obituary in the Telegraph, Bernard Hill was a Mancunian, born in Blackley and (unfortunately) a Manchester United fan. He certainly did a good Liverpool accent.

Incidentally the term “black stuff” appears to have been invented by Alan Bleasdale. In the construction industry it is known as 'black top'.

As this seems to be a tenuous Evertonian thread, I'm just going to say “Football – bloody hell”.

3 weeks ago, Everton crashed,6-0 at Chelsea. It really could not be any worse.

Since then, our beloved Blues have won 3 and drawn 1, including a memorable win v Liverpool.

Marine have won a cup. Then a playoff semi-final. Then, today, beat a very strong Macclesfield side to gain promotion to the 6th tier of English football, amidst joyous scenes.

Whatever we may think about football, it retains its ability to grasp us by the throat.

Peter, you omitted South Liverpool's promotion to North West Counties Premier Division.

Excellent season at Jericho Lane.

Stephen #15,

I'm very happy for that to be included in the roll of fame!

Great news, Pete, beating moneybags Macclesfield and no Savage at the match!

It was at Macclesfield right Pete? How many were there from L23/L22?

Paul #17,

1,200 made the journey to Macclesfield, I think the total attendance was around 5,300. It was a great day, especially for the young kids.

Peter (14),

You've had a great few weeks and I bet Marine getting promotion was as enjoyable as Everton winning an honour, if your memory is holding up!

Glad you've had those great days and I hope there is at least one more when your grandson helps his team to win their cup final.

Paul (12), Was that version of John, Paul, George and Ringo the one with Paul McGann in it as well as Bernard Hill, I saw that at The Everyman but didn't realise Yozzer was in it.

Dave,

Watching the kids jumping about at the end reminded me of me, my brother and various other boys behaving in a similar way at Wembley in 1966. Yesterday was a day they'll never forget.

I can't imagine what the scenes will be when Everton win something again.

I supported Marine many, many years ago back in the late 60's - my favourite was Ben Foster and was the centre half that ugly guy called Favanger????

Used to go there with Barry Lenton when Everton were playing away...

Gerry (21),

Ben was a very good striker and a very genuine fella, he won the eleven plus and went to De La Salle. I used to tell him he would have better off staying in St Nicholas in town, he would have been a nap to be selected for Liverpool Boys and then who knows how he would have fared further on. He was a very strong physical player, good on the ball, in the air with two good feet.

Ah well we will never know – Alexander Benjamin Forster to give him his full title.

Gerry #21,

I was having a chat with a very pleased Barry on the pitch after the match!

Dave @ 22, Ben Forster spelt with an r in, has his brother Tony always reminds me.

Pete M, good to hear that Barry Lenton is doing well; he used to live around the corner from me, in either Manor or Ilford Avenue.

Enjoy the view/video from Macclesfield's end and the view from Marine's end mate (and Mike G/Gerry Q):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fipjUVnggtA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHsGsgG8upA

"Billy Morrey is as fast as a lorry"!

Dave A (19).

Don't think Paul McGann was in the original production at The Everyman (he would have been around 14-16 then, I think).

Bernard Hill played John didn't he? Trevor Eve (Shoestring) played Paul and Anthony Sher played Ringo. Can't remember who played George or Bert!

Billy (25),

Yes that's how I have spelt it. Tony also always asks me “What was our Ben's real name” - I tell him Alex.

Strangely enough, Tony was a Blue and Alex a Red.

Paul (27),

Yes, fair enough, I saw the Paul McGann version where all the musicians had a role to play in the play as well and as you say age ruled Paul McGann out of the one you saw.

I would have loved to see Paul McGann in that play, Dave A.

He played a good part in the film Shepherd On The Rocks.

Will try not to spoil film but he stood his ground against people who thought they could just rock up with money and buy his property, well worth a watch.