The Archers actor Alan Devereux who played Sid Perks for 50 years has died of natural causes at the age of 75

  • Arrived on BBC Radio 4 soap opera in 1963 as a teenage tearaway
  • Became landlord of The Bull pub until his character's death in 2010
  • Died of natural causes, aged 75, on Sunday morning after short illness 
  • BBC editor Sean O'Connor called him voice of 'genuine' authenticity 

By James Dunn For Mailonline

Published: 00:02 EST, 1 June 2016 | Updated: 03:27 EST, 1 June 2016

Actor Alan Devereux who played Sid Perks in The Archers for 50 years has died after a short illness at the age of 75. 

Mr Devereux arrived on the airwaves on September 30 1963 as the teenage tearaway who would later become the landlord of The Bull pub until his character's death in 2010.

The actor died of 'natural causes' on Sunday morning after a short illness, the BBC announced, and tributes have rushed in for the veteran Archers star. 

The Archers actor Mr Devereux (as character Sid Perks, with Hedli Niklaus who played his wife Kathy Perks, pictured in 2000) has died of natural causes at the age of 75 after a short illness

The Archers actor Mr Devereux (as character Sid Perks, with Hedli Niklaus who played his wife Kathy Perks, pictured in 2000) has died of natural causes at the age of 75 after a short illness

Mr Devereux's character lived and died on the airwaves and millions tuned in when Sid Perks married Jolene (pictured inside The Bull pub where he was landlord)

Mr Devereux's character lived and died on the airwaves and millions tuned in when Sid Perks married Jolene (pictured inside The Bull pub where he was landlord)

He took over as landlord of The Bull pub (pictured) in 1972 and played the par until soap opera character Sid Perks died in 2010

He took over as landlord of The Bull pub (pictured) in 1972 and played the par until soap opera character Sid Perks died in 2010

BBC Radio 4 The Archers editor, Sean O'Connor, paid tribute to the actor on Tuesday, and said he possessed a voice of 'genuine' authenticity. 

Mr O'Connor told the BBC Radio 4 website: 'Alan's voice as Sid had a genuine sense of authenticity to it - instantly recognisable and full of rich character.

'As an actor Alan was adept at both intense drama as well as dead-pan comedy. He was a wonderful member of The Archers' family in Birmingham and will be deeply missed.'

Former editor Vanessa Whitburn said: 'Alan was a consummate and brilliant radio actor. Always a delight to work with.

'His versatility as publican Sid Perks meant that he created superb partnerships with the actresses who played all three of his wives. A modest man, I don't think he knew just how talented he was.'

He is survived by his son and his daughter, Tracy Jane White, who played his on-air daughter Lucy for more than a decade in the show set in the fictional village of Ambridge.

Sid took his place behind the bar of The Bull in 1972 when he and his first wife Polly took over the running of the pub. 

Buffy Davis, who plays Jolene, starred alongside him in the headline-grabbing 'sex in the shower' scene in 2000 before becoming the publican's third wife.

Mr Devereux and Jolene (played by Buffy Davis) in the pink Cadillac hired to bring them back to The Bull after their wedding

Mr Devereux and Jolene (played by Buffy Davis) in the pink Cadillac hired to bring them back to The Bull after their wedding

He is survived by his son and his daughter, Tracy Jane White, who played his on-air daughter Lucy for more than a decade 

He is survived by his son and his daughter, Tracy Jane White, who played his on-air daughter Lucy for more than a decade 

She told the BBC Radio 4 website: 'Alan was a one-off, there was no one like him. He possessed a wicked sense of humour and was uniquely talented, I loved him.

'Standing next to him on the mic was a lesson in radio performance. He was completely dedicated to The Archers - and once that green light was on, he was Sid Perks.'

Trevor Harrison, who plays farmer Eddie Grundy, added: 'Alan was a lovely, sensitive man who I enjoyed working with immensely.

'I was privileged to know him both professionally and socially. He had a natural gift for acting and was very talented.

'He was a wonderful Sid Perks and will always be remembered as a part of Ambridge.'

Another colleague, Graham Seed, the voice of Nigel Pargetter, paid tribute, saying: ' So sad to hear of the passing of Alan Devereux (Sid Perks). A gentle man and brilliant radio actor. R.I.P.'

 

 

Comments (32)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now