15 Facts About Bernard Youens

Bernard Arthur Popley, better known by his stage name Bernard Youens, was an English character actor of stage and television, and briefly appeared in radio plays and had cameos in film.

Bernard Youens was a TV announcer and is perhaps best remembered for his portrayal of Stan Ogden in the serial soap opera Coronation Street from 1964 until his death in 1984.

Bernard Youens was from a working class family who had no theatre connections.

Bernard Youens went on to spend much of the 1930s honing his craft in repertory theatre.

Bernard Youens's acting career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served as a corporal with the 1st Battalion, Loyal Regiment in North Africa and Italy.

Bernard Youens was wounded by shrapnel in his right leg in Anzio in February 1944.

Bernard Youens returned to rep after the war, while working as a publican, bread salesman, van driver and a labourer.

Bernard Youens was a member of Frank Fortesque's Players after the war.

Bernard Youens became a continuity announcer in May 1956 for Granada Television, which had just been launched, in which his velvet-voiced tones were in marked contrast to the character for which he would gain national attention.

Bernard Youens took minor roles in several ITV series at the time, and radio plays such as William Wilberforce on the BBC Home Service in October 1959 although he declined the chance to audition for Coronation Street when it was launched, preferring the security of his announcer's role, before eventually passing an audition.

Bernard Youens suffered a 2nd stroke on 12 May 1984.

Bernard Youens died peacefully in his sleep at Salford Royal Hospital on 27 August 1984 after suffering a heart attack.

The decision to kill off the Stan Ogden character was made soon after Bernard Youens died, and on 21 November 1984 it was revealed onscreen that the character had died in hospital.

Bernard Youens married Edna Swallow, known as "Teddy", in Halifax on 21 September 1937.

Bernard Youens's youngest son, Michael, was a film cameraman on many episodes of Coronation Street.