Felix Bowness - A comic hero
By Laura HerbertSeptember 16, 2009
The family of Hi-de-Hi! actor Felix Bowness have paid tribute to the “hero” comic performer who died at the weekend.
Hi-de-Hi star Felix Bowness dies aged 87
Mr Bowness, from Woodley, is best known for his role as jockey Fred Quilly in the hit show that ran in the 1980s as well as having roles in You Rang M’Lord and Oh, Doctor Beeching!
His son Bob Bowness said: “I remember him as a loving, caring father.
“He idolised my three children and his great-granddaughter.
“He always looked on the good side of life.”
Grandson Jonathan Bowness added: “He was like a father to me.
“He was a hero to me.”
Mr Bowness died peacefully at his home in Alderley Close surrounded by his family on Sunday following a short illness.
His 53-year-old son added: “He fell ill on Monday, September 7. He hadn’t been in brilliant health and he just got worse.
“It happened so quickly, there was no time to get him down to the hospital to check him over [since he fell ill].”
Mr Bowness, who lives in Southampton, said his three children Jonathan, 29, David, 27, and Christopher, 24, were all with their grandfather when he died.
He added: “He was very loving towards his grandchildren and thought the world of them.”
Of his one-year-old great-granddaughter Faith, Felix Bowness said to his son: “One in, one out, that’s life.”
The 87-year-old, who lived in Woodley since 1974, was a great horse lover and had a share in racehorses.
“His grandfather was a French jockey who came over to England in 1870,” explained his son.
“My father could ride, hence he got the part in Hi-de-Hi!
“He part-owned a couple of racehorses in the 1970s and 1980s at Lambourn.”
He added: “He said he had more in his lifetime than people have had in three lifetimes.”
Mr Bowness raised money for the Jockey Benevolent Fund as well as betting on horses.
“He would always bet £1.50 each way on the favourite horse every day,” his son said.
The family plan to have a private funeral although no details have yet been confirmed.
Anyone who would like to pay tribute have been asked by the family to make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Browse Sections
Most recent user comments 1 of 1
16/09/2009 at 18:23 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.