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It’s been more than 25 years since Channel 4’s longest running sitcom, Desmond’s, ended.
The show, which was broadcast from 1989 to 1994 and comprised of 71 episodes across six series, centred around inept hairdresser Desmond Ambrose and his Peckham barbershop.
Though Desmond’s main focus was the main Ambrose family, it also featured a wealth of local characters who gathered at the shop – often with hilarious results.
Its barbershop setting was perhaps the catalyst for the show’s roaring success. Customers can scrap their filters and discuss just about anything while facing the mirror.
From hostage situations to demonic computer games, there was never a dull moment for the Ambrose family and their friends.
Desmond’s made waves for being one of the first predominantly black British TV comedies, featuring a black British Guyanese cast. Show writer Trix Worrell said he “wrote it for white people so they could see how black people really are".
The iconic sitcom even launched a successful spin-off, Porkpie – centred around Desmond’s best friend – from 1995 to 1996.
And fans are still clamouring for a return to the series today.
We’re not sure whether it’ll ever happen, but there is hope as the cast and crew reunited at Theatre Peckham in January 2019 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the show’s first ever episode.
But what became of the cast after the original sitcom came to an end in 1994?
Norman Beaton – Desmond Ambrose
Norman’s ill health was actually the reason the sitcom came to an end.
He retired from the show in December 1994 and moved back to Guyana – just as his character Desmond was doing the same.
However, Norman collapsed at the airport and died a few hours later from a heart attack.
In Porkpie, the Desmond’s spin-off, it was revealed that his character had died around 11 months before the first episode aired.
The Guyanese actor led an eclectic life. He played in a calypso band in Guyana before he moved to London in 1960, and was originally a teacher – even teaching pupils briefly in Liverpool.
He also appeared in shows including The Bill and Hammer House of Horror.
Co-star Geff Francis, who played Desmond’s oldest son in the show, said: “Leading up to his death we knew that Norman was sick, and to be honest with you I think most of us put aside thoughts of what was going to happen after the show.”
He said it was a “tremendous blow” for everybody when Norman passed away.
Carmen Munroe – Shirley Ambrose
Desmond’s wife Shirley was predominantly known for being a strict, no-nonsense character who would often solve the family’s problems when they got out of hand.
It was revealed in Porkpie that Shirley had moved back to Guyana, despite her initial reservations.
But actress Carmen Munroe remained resolutely in Britain, making waves on stage and screen – even going as far as to receive an OBE in the 2007 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her services to drama.
Shortly after starring in Desmond’s, she went on to appear in the TV movie The Final Passage in 1996.
Carmen took a break from the small screen in the 2000s, instead opting to turn to the stage for three plays at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn – Walk Hard, Gem of the Ocean, and Fabulation. She also acted at the Ovalhouse in 2007.
She’s also been in CBBC’s The Dumping Ground, and popped up in Holby City last year.
Now she’s set to star in Ear for an Eye, which will air this year, which will follow British and American black characters of various generations navigating through today’s society.
Ram John Holder – Augustus ‘Porkpie’ Grant
Fan favourite Porkpie was a lollipop man who best enjoyed drinking rum and playing dominoes in the barbershop.
He got his nickname from the iconic porkpie hat he wore in the series.
He was so dearly loved by fans that he was awarded his own titular spin-off, Porkpie.
The actor-musician originally hailed from Guyana, and moved to London in 1962.
He said of Desmond’s: “It’s an important part of the cultural history of this country. An artistic achievement.”
And since starring in Desmond’s and its short-lived – but much loved – spin-off, Ram John has gone on to appear in everything from The Story of Tracy Beaker to Eastenders.
His latest roles were as Nelson Myers in Death in Paradise in 2017-2018, along with appearing as various characters in Casualty until 2018.
Gyearbuor Asante – Matthew
Norman Beaton’s wasn’t the only tragic death to come out of the Desmond’s cast.
Barbershop customer Matthew – an eternal mature student who would ditch the books to spend his time in the shop – was played by Gyearbuor Asante, who sadly passed away in 2000.
His character was best known for his “old African sayings”.
He originally hailed from Ghana, where he was destined to ascend to the title of chief in his home village Kwahu Tafo.
But he rejected the role in favour of moving to the UK to pursue acting – and ruled himself out of inheriting the title.
He also appeared in shows like A Family Affair, Mind Your Language and The Professionals.
He returned to his home country shortly after Desmond’s ended, where he was named Ghana’s Cultural Ambassador for Services to Acting.
But the star died in the Ghanian capital of Accra in 2000, aged 58, of clogged arteries.
In a twist of fate, his close friend and executive producer of Desmond’s, Humphrey Barclay, became a chief in Gyearbuor’s ancestral village.
Humphrey had travelled to the village for his friend’s funeral and was asked by the Tafo king is he would like to join the royal family.
He said of Gyearbuor: “He was wickedly funny, passionate about acting, and, as one of his admirers said, ‘full of grace’."
Geff Francis – Michael Ambrose
Desmond and Shirley’s eldest child Michael was a bank manager – but he soon learned there were more important things in life than money.
He was reviled by his family for his money mad ways, and eventually married his secretary Mandy.
Actor Geff Francis has long since been making waves in the acting world, even going as far as to star in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, where he played Admiral Griss.
He’s also appeared in everything from Killing Eve and Eastenders to Doctors and Holby City.
Geff also starred in Desmond’s spin-off Porkpie, though he claimed it was “hastily put together”.
Geff has been an outspoken advocate for the revival of Desmond’s, commenting: “Desmond’s was a very important show for anyone who enjoyed it.
Speaking in 2013 when Desmond’s was bought by The Africa Channel to air reruns, he added: “It’s a good thing that Desmond’s is on TV again; if anything it should have been shown a lot sooner.”
Justin Pickett – Sean Ambrose
The youngest Ambrose child Sean was often getting in trouble with his dad, but his enthusiastic rapping and computer skills made him a hit with viewers.
Since starring in Desmond’s and subsequently its spin-off, actor Justin Pickett took up a recurring role as Chez Williams in The Bill until 2007. He also appeared in Holby City and Doctors.
He has since jumped wholeheartedly into a music career – Justin served as musical director for Afterglow blu, a London music events company, since 2004.
He has also played drums in a soul-jazz band, and now works teaching music in a primary school.
Kim Walker – Gloria Ambrose
Gloria was Desmond and Shirley’s only daughter. With the catchphrase “independent woman of the 90s”, she fawned over young barber Tony when he first appeared at the shop.
Actress Kim Walker went on to appear in a single episode of spin-off Porkpie, but her last TV appearance was on Celebrity Squares in 1996.
She attended the 30th anniversary Desmond’s reunion in 2019 and got involved in an audience Q&A.
Robbie Gee – Lee Stanley
Wheeler-dealer “Peckham Prince” Lee was like an adoptive son to Desmond and Shirley, though he was intent on making a profit off the barbershop regulars.
He also reunited with his mum after 28 years in the episode ‘Lee’s Journey’.
Actor Robbie Gee has occupied a wealth of roles since Desmond’s ended, including appearing in the 2019 film Military Wives and the 2017 family hit Paddington 2.
His TV career has also boomed, and he’s starred in Young Dracula, Death in Paradise, Holby City and Eastenders, among others.
Robbie’s latest project is The Kindred, which is currently in post-production. He’s set to appear as Detective Shepherd, according to iMDB.
Dominic Keating – Tony
Assistant barber Tony was a bit of a playboy, and the third white character to appear onscreen in the series.
It took a bit of convincing for Desmond to accept him as an assistant, and even longer for him to get used to being called Des.
Actor Dominic Keating left the show before the final series, as his character headed overseas to cut hair.
He has since appeared in TV shows including Prison Break, Star Trek: Enterprise and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Dominic has also made his name as a video game actor, starring in games such as Dragon Age: Origins and various World of Warcraft titles.
Mona Hammond – Aunt ‘Susu’ Doreen
Shirley’s ignorant sister Susu went on to be Porkpie’s fiancée in the show – and despite only appearing in four episodes, will definitely stick in most fans’ minds.
Susu was deported back to Jamaica in the fourth series, but popped up again in Porkpie after finding out her fiancée had won the lottery – and running off with her current husband’s savings and passport!
Jamaica-born actress Mona Hammond, like Carmen Munroe, received an OBE for services to drama in 2005.
She is well known for appearing as Blossom Jackson in Eastenders in the 1990s, and returned briefly in 2010 after the death of her great-grandson Billie.
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But she has also appeared in Holby City, Casualty and Doctor Who.
Her film career has also been impressive – Mona appeared in the 2005 cult hit Kinky Boots, and 2008 blockbuster 10,000 BC.
Her latest role was in 2016, where she appeared as Rita in the short film Bucky.
In 2018 she was awarded the Women of the World Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Channel 4
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