samkydd

I was thinking about Jack Wild the other day and how good he was in Oliver as The Artful Dodger and I wondered why we never saw him much in his adult years. I just read up on him on IMDB and was disturbed by their latest update:

January 2005 - After sucessfully battling alcoholism, he was then diagnosed with oral cancer. A treatment of radiotherapy resulted in 2 years of remission, but the cancer then came back and he has recently had both his tongue and voice box removed.

Now lives in Toddington, Beds.

What a tragedy, I sincerely hope he gets through this awful thing.

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

WCL

I actually saw him on an Oliver reunion on TV. He looked awful! And by the sounds of his voice they have already removed part of his tongue and vocal chords.

Such a shame to see him like this... but I'm sure I remember him saying that he has got a new girlfriend and is getting on with his life. He seemed happy and looks as though he may have beaten the illness again. I hope so anyway!

harryfielder

I was with Jack in 1968 filming Oliver at Shepperton Studios and at that time he was a bright young man. When I think back on his life he could have done so much. I too had cancer last year and am now cancer free (thank God).
I wish Jack a speedy recovery....

Aitch,

http://www.turnipnet.com/aitch/aitch/gallery.htm

samkydd

I didn't realise until someone mentioned it in a music quiz that a young Jack brought an album out (or back then we called them LPs).

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

Phoenix

Sadly Jack Wild's career is so similar to many other child stars.

I salute you Mr Harry Fielder, You've been in many hugely entertaining films and tv shows.

I am going to use the excuse of trying to spot you to rewatch some of them. The Sweeney, Dr Who, Blakes 7, Space 1999..

phoenix

harryfielder

I had a great time in the biz (32 years) and met up with some wonderful people.

If you have the time you can read all about it on my web site..Here's a snippet. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Click here: American Chronicle: Star Wars: Harry Fielder: Death Star Trooper

By the way...Everyone calls me....

Aitch,

http://www.turnipnet.com/aitch/aitch/gallery.htm

smudge

Just saw you again tonight Aitch. the wife has been laughing her head off at the re-runs of TERRY & JUNE on UK TV Drama (she can't see why I like SYKES though.) I just dug up an old T&J disc I'd copied from VHS, and there you are playing the goalie in the 'Election' episode.

Lines AND a credit ! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clapping.gif[/img]

Good on yer, Aitch !

(Liked the Star Wars article too - see it's not only us who call him Daft Ada!) [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

Is there ANYTHING you WEREN'T in ? More seriously, was there anything you missed out on that you'd liked to have done ?


SMUDGE

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/devil.gif[/img]

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

Gibbie

Aitch,

Yes, Jack had quite a talent. Although, the spotlight can become a laser.
Hope he is better!

You've had quite a career! That must have been a fun experience doing Oliver!
Glad to hear that you are in good health - thank God!

Best,

Gibbie

harryfielder

Thanks for the kind words Gibbie, I'm fine now but last year it was touch and go. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ermm.gif[/img]
I've been known to have the odd ''Bucket'' of beer or two in my time and now I can settle for a glass (one) of red wine with a meal.
I had very happy days in the biz and wonder what I would have done with my life if that guy had not given me two days extra work back in 1966.

Have a nice day......Everyday...



Aitch,

http://www.turnipnet.com/aitch/aitch/gallery.htm

Gibbie

All the best, Aitch!

Gibbie

samkydd

He was on the box last night on some show about child stars, and looked very poorly but seemed in good spirits. His partner was lip reading him and talking on his behalf to the interviewer, and the impression I got was that he had no regrets about his life because he did have 8 or 9 years at the top until the work dried up. He also said that even if he hadn't been a child star he'd probably still have become an alcoholic. I'm glad that he seems so happy!

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

Bryanb

I just wanted to say how shocked and saddened i was to see Jack Wild on National news today. I had no idea how ill he was. Some of you may already know that he has been battling Cancer....He had enjoyed two years' remission from oral cancer following a course of radiotherapy. The reason has been diagnosed as alcohol abuse. According to the news today he has undergone life-saving surgery to remove his tongue and voice box..this i didn't know. Jack is a big favourite of mine, and seeing him like that really has upset me.

Best wishes to him and his family.

Bob M.

Jack was on our local news this evening (Anglia). Through a lady I think was his wife, he said he wanted young people to see what had happened to him through drinking and smoking. He could not speak for himself, and he was breathing through a hole in his throat. How very sad. The young man had great talent, the world was his oyster.
How very sad...

"How about dat, a? How about dat?

DB7

Piece here from the BBC, sounds a tragic waste:



'My lifestyle caused my mouth cancer' <span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"> The only symptom Jack had was earacheGrowing alcohol use is causing a steep rise in mouth cancer cases, experts have warned just days before the planned extension of pub opening hours.

One-time child star Jack Wild, 53, communicates to others through his wife Claire since he lost his voice three years ago.

The seasoned actor had to have his voice box - the larynx - and tongue removed because he developed mouth cancer, which could not be beaten with radiotherapy alone.

My lifestyle had made me a walking time bomb.
Jack Wild

It was a huge blow to Jack, who was nominated for an Oscar at the age of 16 for his famous performance as the Artful Dodger in the 1968 movie version of Oliver!

But he is grateful that the cancer has not returned a second time and says it is vital that other people recognise the signs and symptoms of this increasingly common cancer.

Jack aged 16 playing the Artful Dodger in Oliver!

Currently, nearly 4,500 people have mouth cancer in the UK.

Like Jack, many develop it because of a lifestyle of heavy drinking and smoking.

Jack said: "Until I was diagnosed with mouth cancer, I'd never heard of it.

"What I learned very quickly was that my lifestyle had made me a walking time bomb.

"I was a heavy smoker and an even heavier drinker and apparently together they are a deadly mixture."

Warning signs

The only warning Jack had that something might be wrong was a pain in the ear that would not go away.

He put it down to his busy work schedule and his frequent flights to and from the US.

His wife Claire recalled: "Jack was taking about £20 worth of pain killers each week.

This carried on for some time, but he saw his GP and eventually it was discovered that his pain was down to a tumour at the base of his tongue."

Jack had radiotherapy, but the cancer returned two years later and then his only choice was to have surgery to remove his tongue and larynx.

Mouth cancer warning signs See a doctor or dentist if any of these last for more than three weeks:an ulcer or sore in your moutha red or white patch in your mouthan unexplained pain in your mouth or earan unexplained lump in your neckA sore or painful throatA croaky voice or difficulty swallowing

Thankfully, the surgery worked and the cancer has not returned. But it does now mean that Jack cannot speak, drink or eat.

He has to have all of his meals and nutrients delivered in a liquid via a tube that goes straight into his stomach.

"You just have to deal with it," said Jack. "Fortuitously, I have carried on working."

He has continued to take on some acting roles - most recently in the movie Moussaka & Chips - and is currently writing his autobiography.

Jack wants other people who may be at risk of mouth cancer to seek help early so they do not have to go through the same treatment he has had to. Mouth cancer is easier to treat if caught early and the chances of survival are greatly improved. Also, up to 75% of cases could be avoided by stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake." Jack said: "I would urge anyone who has the symptoms to get them checked out immediately." </span>

Jackdaw

In the late seventies Jack would sometimes visit my workplace local with his girlfriend.He was unfailingly courteous,approachable and unassuming.
I wish him a full recovery and a happy future.

Jacky