One of the biggest hits of the 1970s was the BBC's Porridge, a sitcom set in the fictional HMP Slade. The show remains popular with viewers, and was once voted as Britain's seventh best sitcom, beating out the likes of Open All Hours, Keeping Up Appearances and Last of the Summer Wine.
One of the show's main characters was Governor Geoffrey Venables, the ineffective governor of the prison, and the character was played by Michael Barrington. While he didn't appear in as many episodes as other principal characters, he's still remembered fondly for providing many of the show's comedic moments.
Away from Porridge, Michael, who died at the age of 63 in 1988, was known for appearing in films like Privilege, The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer and The Black Panther. He also appeared in major TV shows like Z-Cars, The Avengers, Private Schulz and Doctor Who.
In 1956, the actor found love with fellow thespian Barbara New, who was known for appearing in several major British sitcoms throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The pair remained married until Michael's death from a heart attack.
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Michael's famous wife, Barbara New
Born in 1923, Barbara made her acting debut in 1958, appearing as Charlotte Lucas in Pride and Prejudice. She continued making her name in the likes of Maigret and The Wednesday Play, before appearing alongside her husband in Porridge and The Black Panther.
Barbara got her big break 1973 when she joined the cast of The Two Ronnies, appearing as various characters over seven years. She followed this up by landing the role of Mabel Wheeler in classic BBC sitcom You Rang, M'Lord? The actress played the charwoman throughout the show's six-year run, with the character often ranking the lowest in class, even among the fellow servants.
© Alamy Stock PhotoShe also appeared in another BBC sitcom, the railway-based Oh, Doctor Beeching!, where she played cleaner Vera Plumtree during the show's run. She also appeared in films, including Beast and Ali G Indahouse.
After Michael died at the age of 63, she remained unmarried until her own death in 2010 at the age of 87.
