A class act

In spite of achieving fame at an early age and starring in some of the most acclaimed films of the Sixties, the Hull-born actor has often seemed to disappear from the nation’s gaze for long periods through his fondness for taking to the stage rather than the cinema screen.

In fact it is somehow typical of an actor who has devoted himself to his craft rather than the pursuit of fame that one of his greatest film performances, and his own favourite, is the almost forgotten 1970 version of One Day In The Life Of Ivan Denisovich, shown over the weekend at the 19th Bradford International Film Festival.

It would also be typical of Mr Courtenay’s modesty if he saw this rare screening as far more significant than the fact that, 50 years after filming Billy Liar in the city, the Bradford festival honoured him with a lifetime achievement award. Everything understated about him, then, except for his talent.