What became of cast of BBC sitcom Bread from major Hollywood roles to soap comeback
It's been over thirty years since the sitcom Bread transported us into the Boswell family's Liverpool home. The widely adored series, set in the 1980s, chronicled the family's varying fortunes as they navigated life under the stern supervision of their matriarch, Nellie Boswell.
Making its debut on May 1, 1986, the show's memorable ceramic hen from the opening credits and the theme song performed by the cast quickly became a beloved part of many viewers' evening routines.
The programme ran for eight seasons until 1991, delivering numerous unforgettable moments, whether it was Liverpool icon Sonia making a guest appearance or the notorious Italian holiday in the Christmas special. But what have the cast members been up to in the 34 years since the show concluded?
Jean Boht - Nellie Boswell
Jean Boht portrayed Nellie, the family's matriarch who had to tolerate her family's often eccentric schemes to earn a living. Beyond the show, she featured in all the classic BBC soaps, including Casualty, Doctors, Holby City and The Bill, reports the Liverpool Echo.
She also had a stint on stage, performing alongside Jeremy Irons in the 2006 production of Embers. Jean sadly passed away in September 2023 at the age of 91 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease.
She spent her final days at Denville Hall, a residence for retired actors and members of the theatrical profession.
Ronald Forfar - Freddie Boswell
Ronald Forfar was known for his portrayal of Nellie's troublesome spouse Freddie, a character easily identifiable by his unkempt white hair and impressive moustache. Freddie was a constant source of trouble for the family due to his ongoing affair with Lilo Lill and his indifference towards his family's antics.
Post-show, Ronald transitioned into writing, penning 'A Wilderness of Monkeys', a narrative about life in theatre. Sadly, Ronald passed away at the age of 81 in October 2020.
Eileen Pollock - Lilo Lill
Lilo Lill, the 'other woman' in the Boswell marriage, was one of the most memorable and iconic characters on the show, portrayed by Eileen Pollock.
After the series concluded, Eileen spent much of her time on stage, collaborating with several Northern Irish companies. She also had a brief stint in Hollywood, featuring in the film adaptation of Frank McCourt's book 'Angela's Ashes' in 1999 and sharing screen space with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in 'Far and Away', playing the role of landlady Molly.
Sadly, Eileen passed away in 2020 at the age of 73.
Peter Howitt - Joey Boswell
Howitt played the eldest of the Boswell boys, Joey, but was replaced in the fifth series when Graham Bickley took over the role.
Peter went on to achieve significant success post-show, making a name for himself in Hollywood with films like 'Sliding Doors' and the 2012 thriller 'Reasonable Doubt', starring Dominic Cooper and Samuel L Jackson. However, he is perhaps best known for directing the original 'Johnny English' film, featuring Rowan Atkinson.
He currently resides in Vancouver, Canada, with his wife and two children.
Nick Conway - Billy Boswell
Nick, the youngest of the brothers, portrayed the bumbling Billy Boswell who seemed to constantly struggle with even the simplest tasks, often through no fault of his own. He later appeared in several classic soaps, including roles on The Bill and Casualty, before securing the role of Gavin for a stint on Coronation Street.
Now 62, Nick has also dabbled in DJing and opened a theatre school, following his own experiences performing in plays.
Victor McGuire - Jack Boswell
Post his stint as Jack Boswell in Bread, Victor has bagged significant roles across film and television, including appearances in Hollywood blockbusters such as Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and The Woman in Black. On the small screen, he's made appearances in Sky 1's Trollied, Casualty and more recently, as Big Garth on Coronation Street.
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