ATV Icon: John Bentley

Michael Keohan celebrates the career of actor and voice-over artist John Bentley in another ATV Icon feature.

Today at 2.00pm ATV star John Bentley will make his final public appearance as his funeral takes place at St Mary’s Church, Petworth, Sussex. If you’re in the area today all guests are welcome – in bright colours – no black. Today we pay our respects to a film, theatre, radio and small screen talent who entertained millions over six decades.

John, who had success in Hollywood, as well as many British-produced movies of the 1940s and 50s, reached his biggest audiences through the ATV Network soap opera Crossroads throughout the 1960s and 1970s. You’ll also have heard his voice on many television commercials, including Cadbury’s Flake.

In this special ATV Icon we let John speak for himself as we bring you an interview with the much-loved actor from 2006. John Bentley, a Birmingham boy, who reached great heights of fame and mingled with stars such as Errol Flynn, Dirk Bogarde, John Mills and became close friends with icons such as Diana Dors will be celebrated by his loyal fans for many years to come.

How did you get into acting? Was it always an ambition?

Apart from the odd school play, I had very little interest in the theatrical world until I was sixteen and that was quite by accident. I got into the business through radio producer Martyn C. Webster. On one of his radio broadcasts, he offered listeners to come to his studio and audition. Those who were good enough would be offered work at the station.

I actually decided that I would be quite a good singer, so armed with a 78 record to accompany my performance, I sang for Martyn. He liked what he heard and offered me a part in a radio musical. And that is where the singing evolved into acting. Other radio dramas soon followed thankfully.

Of those early years, which roles did you enjoy the most?

I think my first major film will always be a favourite, because of course, it gave me the stepping stone to so many other roles. That was The Hills Of Donegal, way back in 1946. Recording in Africa for the television series, African Patrol was also a high spot. We made nearly 40 episodes, and each one was a pure joy.

How did you get the part of Hugh Mortimer in Crossroads?

Again, this was more fate than anything else. Noele Gordon was at the time a presenter for ATV and she called me up – asking if I’d appear on her series, Midland Profile. I didn’t think I was worthy enough to be interviewed for half an hour. But in the end I did the show. I still doubt there were many viewers interested! (laughs)

Reg Watson, producer of the show seemed to like what I had to say, he was keen to hire people who had some experience of live television and thanks to Midland Profile he later invited me onto Lunchbox as one of the occasional guest singers.

When a few years later they were casting the part of Hugh Mortimer, Noele Gordon suggested me for the role to Reg, and they both agreed I was the perfect choice.

Do you have a favourite storyline?

Over the years there were so many enjoyable ones. I think more than stories the domestic scenes were a joy. We often could add to a scene with a little light comedy thrown in.

More seriously, Hugh’s first heart attack was a good story. It was one of the social issues we would cover in the show from time to time. The producers wanted to show how someone like Hugh could suddenly become ill.

We wanted to show that having a heart attack can with simple steps be avoided. The changes to Hugh’s lifestyle and taking active action to help prevent another attack did a lot of good in the real world raising awareness. A lot of people take notice of soap plots, more so when it happens to a character they like.

Of course the healthy Hugh didn’t last very long, and he later suffered another two..

How alike are you and Hugh?

I think Hugh was very different. I’m not very much a gambler and I have no flair for business. Hugh was very much a tough, uncompromising personality to start with. Over the years I think some of the rough edges were rubbed away and I was able to bring more of myself into the role.

New scriptwriters were always a problem. One may have seen Hugh as a university graduate, who sparkled with wit and was clearly well educated. Another may write him as a naive gentleman with ambitions, and once the script even had Hugh as a north country “trouble at mill” type, with a Yorkshire accent! (laughs)

The public are such sticklers for detail. They noticed everything. I remember reading a script that said, ‘Hugh lights a cigar’ – well of course, most people knew that Hugh Mortimer never smoked, so you had to spot these things and suggest changes.

Hugh did have many sides, he was never a cardboard character, and Lord knows I should know, I’ve played plenty of those! (laughs) But no, we were never really very alike at all. Apart from the humour, we both had a great sense of humour.

What made Crossroads popular in your eyes?

A number of factors contributed to its success I believe. Firstly, the fact the show aired four or five times a week. This gave us a chance to be welcomed into people’s homes more often. They made us part of their family.

Also the love/hate syndrome. People will support the characters they love to see, but in the same token they will also fiercely hate others. Someone may have watched Crossroads just for one storyline or one individual character. Some even watched just to see what was happening with some one they loathed.

How would you sum up your time on Crossroads?

The challenge of “as live” television was immense. Thrilling and very hard work. But a joy and delight, thankfully because we had such a wonderful group of people who formed part of that Crossroads team on and off the screen.

The full interview can be read at the Crossroads Fan Club website.

Michael Keohan is a radio presenter and has worked for stations including Lite FM in Cambs.

He also writes a monthly personal showbiz column for ATV Today, the final issue will be seen at the end of November this year as ‘Mikey K’ moves onto new adventures in broadcasting.

ATV Icons celebrate the names past and present who have given a great deal to British Culture.