|
Post by Gene Hunt on Feb 6, 2021 20:49:03 GMT
I can't tell you how sad I am to report that our friend Harry Fielder has passed away peacefully in his sleep. I had a lengthy chat to Aitch at the end of 2019 at Elstree Studios and he was in great spirits - complete with a pint of Guinness in his hand, but I have to say that he didn't look well at all. I have extremely fond memories of Aitch going all the way back to the morning I picked him up from home to take him down into London to join everyone on the Sweeney Meet. I'd chatted with him a few times before that day and he asked if my kids were into The Sweeney / Star Wars etc - which they were. As soon as he got into my car he gave me an envelope and said "that's for the kids". I didn't open it and took it home later that evening. When my kids opened it, the envelope was full of signed photos from stuff Aitch had been in. I'll never forget that. Neither shall I forget Aitch himself. A more down to earth bloke I've yet to meet. A genuinely lovely guy for whom I will always have the utmost respect. The last time I spoke to him, he asked me to join him at The Horns in Watford for a few pints. I said I would for sure. Then came the covid pandemic so I never did get to have that last drink with Aitch, which I'll always regret. RIP Harry Fielder. 26th April 1940 - 6th February 2021. Back together now with the love of his life, wife Mary who passed away in 2010 and who Aitch never got over losing. God bless old pal.
|
|
|
Post by Sam Tyler on Feb 6, 2021 21:06:08 GMT
No! Such sad news. Aitch was one of the very best guests that we had on a meet all those years ago. The only guest to join us from first thing in the morning and throughout the whole day, circulating with all members and chatting with each in turn. If I'm not mistaken he travelled in every car in turn as we went about that meet enjoying everyone's' company. I remember walking along Bevington Road with him just after the Consul and P6 chase for the "Tober is back!" video. It was just the two of us having a one to one chat where he expressed his feelings to me about the loss of his wife Mary, it was very clear that they had been inseparable and that she meant more to him than anything. As the day wore on though he had so many stories to tell right from his earliest days of skiffle, through Carry On films, McVicar, and right up to days of The Sweeney, On The Buses, Fawlty Towers, and so on, the list is immense. Each story he told was full of humour, a good measure of rhyming slang, a spattering of strong language and a not too inconsiderable amount of innuendo. Gene, myself and Aitch had our share of Guinness during that meet, and to this day I associate The Warrington not only to The Sweeney but to the day we spent with Aitch. Although an 'extra' he was a star in his own right and an absolute star when he joined us. Such a sad loss. R.I.P. Aitch
|
|
|
Post by Steve Austin on Feb 6, 2021 21:14:04 GMT
So sad to hear this Gene. As Sam says, he was a star in his own right, i can picture him now at the bar in the Fat Ox with Bob & Terry. Rip Harry, you’ve certainly earned it.
|
|
The Saint
Moderator
Swinging London - 1967
Posts: 5,408
Online Status:
|
Post by The Saint on Feb 6, 2021 21:16:02 GMT
We have lost a great friend of 4:3tv with Aitch’s passing, I was fortunate to have met him on a few occasions and he really was a lovely man.
He was a guest at one of the Sweeney meets and as has been mentioned joined us for the whole day and was fantastic company.
RIP Harry ‘Aitch’ Fielder.
|
|
|
Post by Windy Miller on Feb 6, 2021 21:23:41 GMT
Saddened to hear this.
I always enjoyed his posts and contributions here and on the Lounge.... wonderful reminisces and anecdotes from a fascinating career in films and television. I will always remember the Meet that he joined us on, and him keeping up with all the banter in the car. A really top bloke.
R.I.P. Aitch
|
|
|
Post by John Steed on Feb 6, 2021 21:25:41 GMT
Terribly sad news As Sam mentioned earlier, the only guest to make a full day of the meet. I remember that day fondly and how between locations he was a passenger in various different vehicles to chat to all of the forum members. He chatted to myself and Vienna on one stage of the days driving when he sat in with us and our driver Westhills in his black cab. What a true Gentleman ..... he will be missed by a great number of people far and wide and I am grateful that I had the privilege of meeting him. R.I.P. "Aitch" Steed
|
|
Del Boy
Moderator
Posts: 9,870
Online Status:
|
Post by Del Boy on Feb 6, 2021 21:38:21 GMT
I was saddened to hear of Aitch's passing. When i first joined the forum all those years ago Aitch's career thread was a fantastic read. It was great from that point on to join in with reporting sightings of Aitch in films and tv series. Fast forward a year and I got to meet him at a Sweeney meet. It was really enjoyable listening to the many anecdotes from someone who had been involved in so many top productions. We were indeed fortunate to get a thoroughly entertaining after dinner speech.
RIP Aitch
|
|
Three Litre
Producer
Oscar 24
Posts: 3,410
Online Status:
|
Post by Three Litre on Feb 6, 2021 21:45:40 GMT
Really sorry to read that, I would have loved to meet him.
RIP Harry
|
|
|
Post by D.C. Burtonshaw on Feb 6, 2021 22:21:37 GMT
Very sad news and sorry to read this today. I feel quite privileged to have met Aitch, on more than one occasion and the first being of course on that Sweeney meet of October 2010, and he was also a passenger in my car. I chatted briefly to him about Randall and Hopkirk deceased, and found him very pleasant and down to earth. He certainly had a very interesting and varied career, not least of which can be read in his autobiography. I often look out for him in TV and film productions; in fact saw him this evening when watching a Persuaders episode before finding out about the sad news. RIP Aitch
|
|
|
Post by Charles Bronson on Feb 6, 2021 22:58:17 GMT
Very sorry to hear the news of Harry's passing this evening. He was a terrific guy and I wish we could have all been able to have a few drinks with him in 'The Horns'. He must have had a great time during the years he was active, working in all of those tv shows and films. I too remember Harry coming with us on that meet. In fact I travelled alongside him in the back seat of a car, listening to his take on changing London. I'm very glad indeed that he came with us that day.
RIP Harry.
|
|