The man who played the most famous bigoted socialist in Britain

Entertainment · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Long before he became a household name as 'brother' Eddie Booth, Jack Smethurst was a versatile character actor weaving through British cinema and television for over sixty years. From his early film debut in 1958 to his final roles in the 2000s, he remained a staple of the industry.

Born in Manchester in 1932, Jack Smethurst built a career defined by versatility. After serving in the Royal Air Force and training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, he debuted on film in 1958's Carry On Sergeant. His early career was a steady climb through various roles in notable films like Run with the Wind (1966) and Please Sir! (1971), as well as television appearances in shows such as For the Love of Ada.

His most enduring legacy, however, is his portrayal of Eddie Booth in the sitcom Love Thy Neighbour. Running for eight series between 1972 and 1976, the show featured Smethurst as a bigoted socialist and union leader. The character was so prominent that he reprised the role for a 1979 sequel filmed in Australia. Even after this peak, Smethurst remained a recognizable face, appearing in high-profile projects like Chariots of Fire (1981) and King Ralph (1991), where he reunited with his Love Thy Neighbour co-star Rudolph Walker.

Smethurst's career was also marked by a unique relationship with Coronation Street. Rather than one long stint, he played four distinct characters across four decades: a drayman in 1961, a con artist in 1967, a bin man between 1980 and 1983, and finally Stan Wagstaff in 2001. His ability to inhabit diverse personas—from factory workers in radio dramas like A Proper Charlie to the 'Man in Phone Box' in Keeping Up Appearances—cemented his status as a staple of British entertainment until his death in 2022.

Beyond the screen, Smethurst was part of a creative lineage; his son Adam also pursued a career in acting. His life spanned the evolution of British comedy, moving from early black-and-white sitcoms to international tours and radio dramas, maintaining a presence in the industry for over six decades.

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