This is the first biography of the much-loved seventies actor Richard Beckinsale, who died on 19 March 1979 at the age of thirty-one. It looks back at one of the biggest stars of that decade through the eyes of family, friends and colleagues. With his star rising steadily, he died suddenly of a heart attack, alone at home. Adored by the general public, his death was one of the most shocking losses to British comedy of the late seventies, and since then there has never been an actor with the same innocent charm. This is the compelling story of a man destined for greatness, but ultimately cut down in his prime.