sanndevil

has sadly died. RIP

jacobean

Just heard on the news. I knew he had been very ill recently, but it's still sad.
I wondered why Sarah Kennedy played 'Consider Yourself' this morning, although this may have just been a spooky coincidence as this has only just been announced...

tellingbone

Very sad news. Just heard of his death on Radio 2 news. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/no.gif[/img]

Freddy

This BBC news page from last November tells what he went through in his last years.

November 16th 2005

Oliver will be a great remembrance to him and let's hope his autobiography could be published.

Our thoughts are with his wife and family

Freddy

"What I owe you Colonel Lawrence, is beyond evaluation."

theuofc

Good for Wild in working with Cancer Research up until the very end, informing others about mouth cancer. A brave man.

Barbara

-------------------
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Artful Dodger actor dies aged 53
(Filed: 02/03/2006)

Jack Wild, the actor who played the Artful Dodger in the 1968 film Oliver!, died last night after a battle with mouth cancer, his agent has announced.


Wild: worked to educate people about his illness
The former child star, who was just 16 when he was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the classic film, was 53.

Wild's agent Alex Jay said: "My client Jack Wild died peacefully at midnight last night after a long battle with oral cancer."

Wild was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2000, and after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, he was unable to speak.

He said: "Until I was diagnosed with mouth cancer, I'd never heard of it. My lifestyle had made me a walking timebomb," he said.

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

Wild said he spent the "70s and 80s in a drunken haze" but had been sober for 16 years.

He was given the all-clear following surgery, in which he had his tongue and voicebox removed. Despite not being able to speak, Wild still performed in panto, and his wife, Claire Harding, would lip read and speak for the Oliver! star.

Last year he worked with Cancer Research UK to urge others to be aware of the risk factors and know the symptoms of the disease.

theuofc

Wild was a brave man. Good for him in working with Cancer Research up until the very end, informing others about mouth cancer. Here's a short obit from The Telegraph today.

Best,

Barbara

-------------------
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Artful Dodger actor dies aged 53
(Filed: 02/03/2006)

Jack Wild, the actor who played the Artful Dodger in the 1968 film Oliver!, died last night after a battle with mouth cancer, his agent has announced.


Wild: worked to educate people about his illness
The former child star, who was just 16 when he was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the classic film, was 53.

Wild's agent Alex Jay said: "My client Jack Wild died peacefully at midnight last night after a long battle with oral cancer."

Wild was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2000, and after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, he was unable to speak.

He said: "Until I was diagnosed with mouth cancer, I'd never heard of it. My lifestyle had made me a walking timebomb," he said.

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

Wild said he spent the "70s and 80s in a drunken haze" but had been sober for 16 years.

He was given the all-clear following surgery, in which he had his tongue and voicebox removed. Despite not being able to speak, Wild still performed in panto, and his wife, Claire Harding, would lip read and speak for the Oliver! star.

Last year he worked with Cancer Research UK to urge others to be aware of the risk factors and know the symptoms of the disease.

Marky B

Very sad news.
Mark

I once shot an elephant in my pyjamas - how he got in my pyjamas,I'll never know

plasticjock

BBC reporting the death from oral cancer of Jack Wild, famous for his portrayal of The Artful Dodger in both stage and screen versions of Lionel Barts' musical version of Dickens' tale, 'Oliver Twist'.
He was 53.

mysteriesofedgarwallace

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

samkydd

As well as Jack we've also lost Peter Osgood, Dennis Weaver and comedienne Linda Smith this week! Ossie was a childhood football hero of mine, Weaver was in a favourite low budget film Duel as well as the McCloud series derived from the Clint Eastwood film Coogan's Bluff, and Linda Smith wasn't much older than me and shared the same taste in humour. A very sad week indeed. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/no.gif[/img]

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

smudge

Jack Wild had something of an iconic status from OLIVER ! Certainly to me, as it was the first ever film I recall going to the picture palace to see, along with the whole family. Needless to say that ever since I have had a soft spot for that film and particularly for the Dodger, as I later got to perform the role myself.

Rest in peace, Jack.

Respect,

SMUDGE

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

harryfielder

A very brave guy up to the end.
You'll never be forgotten Jack, Thank you for your work.

Aitch,

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

Trevor

Did you work with Jack on Oliver! Aitch?

I grew up watching Oliver! so I was very sorry to hear the sad news about Jack.

Best wishes.

Trevor

harryfielder

Indeed I did Trev.
In 1968 the cast and crew presented Jack with a pushbike for his birthday.
They were very happy days.

Aitch.

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

thirdlady

I was saddened at hearing Jack wild died!

He was a talented actor! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rip.gif[/img]

A.S.Carroll
"Happiness isn't sold in bottles you have to achieve it in your own lifetime!"