Peter Dudley (21 June 1935 – 20 October, 1983) was a British character actor best known for his role as Bert Tilsley in television's Coronation Street; a role he played continuously from 1979 until 1983. His period in the programme was however dogged by controversy. In the early 1980s, he was accused by Greater Manchester Police of "importuning" (attempting to "pick up" men in public toilets) - it was a charge he was to plead guilty to in court. He was let off with a fine and allowed to continue in the programme by makers Granada who had stood by him throughout his ordeal. Later, Granada were forced to reconsider their decision when he was once again charged with the same offence. This time he protested his innocence and a court trial was held; however the jury failed to agree a verdict. Shortly afterwards, Dudley suffered a stroke losing the use of his left arm. In Coronation Street a story was written whereby his character would be injured in an explosion in his son's garage; this would explain away the reason why his arm did not function and allow him to continue in the show. However, later, in 1983 he was written out of the programme (at his own request) to concentrate on preparing his defence for his re-trial but died from a heart attack before it could take place.
