Following the sad news of Michael's passing,
we invite you to leave your tributes to Michael on Can U Help. Visit
our Contact page to e-mail us your
thoughts and we will publish your tributes here.
Paula Gregson, sister of our very own Andy - writes: "Hi
Simon, I am Paula, Andrew Gregson's sister and he has me hooked on
this site and it is excellent. It is such sad news that Michael (Mr
Bronson) has passed away, he was an amazing character and played the
part very well. I was in London when I was told of the news and ironically
I was sitting in a Hotel in Oxford Street with Mark Savage (Gripper).
So it was strange sitting with him and to be told of such news. Keep
you your great work."
Hi Paula - lovely to hear from you (albeit in such sad circumstances)
but thanks for your kind comments. Still can't believe Michael has
gone - whenever you see a clip of Mr Bronson you can see the energy
and enthusiasm he put into the corridor. Hope you continue to enjoy
the site! 13/09/2005
Grangehill.com has finally caught up, explains Andrew Startup:
"Hi Simon. I though I'd let you know
that Mersey TV have put a short tribute to Michael Sheard on their
Grange Hill website. They have also put a link to Michael's website
for those wishing to offer condolences. It does seem though that
they missed out on the fact Michael also appeared in the first series
of Auf Wiedersehen Pet as Herr Grünwald (another German authoritarian
figure). Michael infact appeared in an interview about the programme
last night on BBC 1 reminiscing about his time on the show last
night. His part was on how easy it was to play Germans by simply
playing them as serious, and they also in the programme showed how
he also linked up with some of the other members of the cast on
other projects.
"As a nice tribute they had Michael
in the closing credits showing his sense of humour, explaining that
if he rambled on to much the editor would be ready with his scissors
to cut his scenes. Not only that the announcer on the BBC mentioned
Michael's untimely death."07/09/2005
George Christopher (Ziggy) has been offline recently but says of
Michael: "Hi Simon, Just like to say
that what a shock this is. He was truly a great actor, one of the
old school. Like John said I also never realized till afterwards
how truly great an actor he was,and you never wanted to get on the
wrong side of him! Myself and all the cast learnt a great deal from
him. Just glad I had a chance to work with such a enigmatic and
happy actor, I`ll miss him dearly. They don't make them like him
anymore!" 06/09/2005
Andrew Gregson, GH Online co-webmaster, writes: "Simon,
It was very sad news about Michael Sheard .... I was shocked and
saddened to hear the news. He was such a great actor and a great
character for GH .... a very sad loss indeed. Maybe we should get
a few clips on the site of MS ... like we did for Laura two years
ago. It really doesn't seem like two years ago since Laura (Sadler)
died! Sad day...
"I was very surprised and I had no
idea he was ill given his recent activity. But I guess that is not
the sort of thing that you generally make public! He was indeed
very proud of Bronco and maintained the respect and association
with GH which was great. A great part of GH past as passed sadly....Maybe
we could even ask for peoples favourite memories of Bronco in GH
and if we don't have the clip try to get a clip online .... what
do u think?"Great idea about the videos
Andy and I've already got some more videos of Bronson in the can.I'm sure everyone's got their own favourite Bronco moments -
if there's a clip of Mr Bronson you'd like to see in the Video Vault
that isn't already there, drop us
a line!UPDATED 02/09/2005
Andrew Startup, of the Julie Buckfield Fansite, says: "It
is sad news to hear of Michael passing away. He will always be remembered
for his portrayal in Mr Bronson in Grange Hill, such was impact Michael
made. His catchphrase "You Boy" will forever live on as well as his
infamous toupee. I did contact the editor for the Grange Hill website
run by Mersey TV and asked if he would put a tribute on their website
as well, such was Michael's legendary status within Grange Hill history.
The reply I got was they it would be looked into putting a tribute
to Michael upon the site given how fondly he is remembered by a whole
generation who grew up with Grange Hill during the 80s."
02/09/2005
Ricky Simmonds
- who as Ant Jones was one of Bronco's screen enemies - has this to
say: "I was shocked to hear the news
today, just a couple of weeks after listening to Michael on a chat
show on LBC. I just wanted to send my condolences to Michael's wife
and family. Playing scenes alongside Michael in Grange Hill were the
most memorable periods I had as an actor. I last saw him in the nineties
when he did some narration for me on a album I was recording, to which
I was extremely grateful for his time. A brilliant actor, who will
be sadly missed. RIP Mr. Bronson... love, Ant Jones."
Welcome to GH Online Ricky. You will know more than most what a great
person Michael was, having had so many scenes with him; and your thoughts
are echoed by another Grange Hill star below... 01/09/2005
While John Drummond, who played Trevor Cleaver, writes: "Hi,
Simon. Sorry to have to contact you under such sad circumstances,
but I wanted to leave a personal tribute to Michael Sheard on GH ONLINE.
He was a true professional and a very kind and patient man (well he
had to be to put up with us lot!) It wasn't until a few years after
I left the show that I realised just how much I learnt from him. If
there is one thing in particular that I will always remember, it is
that despite being very focused and hard working, he always seemed
to be having so much fun. He really did enjoy being an Actor and knew
that he was fortunate to be earning a living doing something that
he loved. Humble and modest to the end. R.I.P. Michael."
Hi John - welcome to the site. Though I never met Michael it's clear
to me everything you say was true, especially about Michael enjoying
his chosen vocation. It really is a tremendous loss to the acting
industry, but thanks for sharing your thoughts. 01/09/2005
Ian
Steele - Brian Shaw - joined Grange Hill a year too late to work with
Michael, but adds: "Really sad news
about Michael Sheard, there are some nice messages on your site."
Thanks Ian - it just shows how much-loved and underrated Michael
was. The messages are still coming in and more will be added soon.
01/09/2005
Another tribute from Michael: "Upon
hearing yesterday of the sad news upon Michael Sheard passing away,
I felt that after seeing all the lovely messages about him on the
site I would write up to Can You Help too. I am still so shocked
by this sad news about Michael passing away. How can you sum Michael
the great and amazing actor he was and the legacy he was and ultimately
left on Grange Hill, it is too hard to sum up such great acting,
including memorable scenes like Brighton Rock/West Side story in
his first year as Maurice Bronson and numerous others, like Maurice's
farewell at the Prom in 1989, when he handed his resignation in
- in mid 1989 and too many more to recall.
"These are just some that I will always
remember Michael Sheard by. What a sad loss his passing away is, my
sympathies & thoughts are with his wife Ros and son Simon at this
terrible time. PS I hope my letter/e-mail is not too long, if it is
please feel free to shorten it as I know you will receive loads and
loads of letters regarding Michael's passing away. Speak soon."
Not at all Michael - Can U Help is everyone's page and nothing is
too long for us. Mr Bronson did have many memorable scenes - too many
to think of - and we hope to get more of these online in the Video
Vault. Keep it here for more details of planned tributes. 01/09/2005
Malcolm Neale writes: "Hi Simon, I only
read the terrible news an hour ago. It came as a great shock, I didn't
even know that Michael was ill. Mr Bronson was without doubt the most
famous teacher ever in Grange Hill. I always hoped that one day he
would return to make a guest appearance, sadly that will now never
happen. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time."
And so say all of us Malcolm. Nothing much I can add to that really,
but the acting world as a whole is worse off without Michael. RIP.
31/08/2005
GH Online's Geoff Phillips: "Shame to
hear Michael Sheard died today. In case you hadn't heard and wanted
to put a message out." And we have done exactly that,
as you've seen from the front page. No TV coverage at this point,
but I suppose the situation in America might explain things. 31/08/2005
Anthony Davis, who appeared alongside Michael in Grange Hill, says:
"Sad news, seems like only recently
I was standing alongside him at Danny Kendall's memorial service."31/08/2005
Adrian Sherring - editor of Michael Sheard's You Boy! fanzine,
writes: "Sorry to have to mention
this but Michael Sheard has passed away this morning we will have
to get together and write something for the site about him."
Thanks Adrian. At the moment we're not sure exactly what tributes
we will offer but we must do something, obviously. If you wanted
to write a piece for us we'll be delighted to publish it. What do
you think? 31/08/2005
Donald Waugh 09/09/2005
Now here's one Donny looking for another: "Hello,
My name is Donny O'Bryan. I have a 7-year running website devoted
to a film called Shock Treatment (http://www.shocktreatmentnetwork.com),
which featured actor Donald Waugh (Hughes in Grange Hill). I've
interviewed several of the stars for the film and wish to interview
Donald Waugh as well. Perhaps you can help lead me to him? A cast
reunion of the film is in current talks for October of next year,
and he might wish to be part of that as well. I sincerely appreciate
any help you can offer to connect us. " Hi Donny
- very sorry but we don't have any contact details for Donald. We
tried looking on www.spotlightcd.com
but there isn't a listing for him. Sorry about that, but hope you
manage to locate Donald!
Richard
made in interesting purchase on Ebay: "Hi
there, I thought you may be interested in the attached pictures
of Lee Sparke I bought these as photographs on ebay a few months
ago. They are dated 1983 and seem to be candid shots maybe shot
in his garden? don't know how the person that I bought them from
came by these but if you're in contact with Lee you may want to
pass them on."
Hi Richard and thanks for the pics! I would think these are personal
shots as they don't appear in any of the Grange Hill annuals; wonder
how they came to be for sale on Ebay? I have forwarded copies on
to Lee and we'll let you know if he offers any comment. Thanks again!
For details of how to contact
Can You Help, see the CYH
main page.
YOUR
TRIBUTES TO MICHAEL SHEARD 
Ricky Simmonds
- who as Ant Jones was one of Bronco's screen enemies - has this to
say: "I was shocked to hear the news
today, just a couple of weeks after listening to Michael on a chat
show on LBC. I just wanted to send my condolences to Michael's wife
and family. Playing scenes alongside Michael in Grange Hill were the
most memorable periods I had as an actor. I last saw him in the nineties
when he did some narration for me on a album I was recording, to which
I was extremely grateful for his time. A brilliant actor, who will
be sadly missed. RIP Mr. Bronson... love, Ant Jones."
Welcome to GH Online Ricky. You will know more than most what a great
person Michael was, having had so many scenes with him; and your thoughts
are echoed by another Grange Hill star below... 01/09/2005
Ian
Steele - Brian Shaw - joined Grange Hill a year too late to work with
Michael, but adds: "Really sad news
about Michael Sheard, there are some nice messages on your site."
Thanks Ian - it just shows how much-loved and underrated Michael
was. The messages are still coming in and more will be added soon.
01/09/2005
Richard
made in interesting purchase on Ebay: "Hi
there, I thought you may be interested in the attached pictures
of Lee Sparke I bought these as photographs on ebay a few months
ago. They are dated 1983 and seem to be candid shots maybe shot
in his garden? don't know how the person that I bought them from
came by these but if you're in contact with Lee you may want to
pass them on."