Peter Benson, a talented actor, is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Bernie Scripps, a funeral director, in the majority of the 18 series of the popular television show Heartbeat, a role he played from 1995 to 2009.
As Bernie, he was often involved in various money-making schemes, which frequently ended in disaster, alongside Claude Greengrass, played by Bill Maynard, and his half-brother Vernon Scripps, portrayed by Geoffrey Hughes. Additionally, his character ran a garage in the fictional town of Aidensfield, which was a central aspect of his character.
Before his stint on Heartbeat, Benson appeared in various other television shows, including the BBC comedy series Blackadder, where he played the role of Henry VII in 1982. He also had roles in the ITV soap opera Albion Market in 1985 and in two episodes of the hospital drama Casualty in 1986.
Benson was a highly accomplished actor, with a strong background in singing, dancing, and theatre. He shared the stage with Bill Maynard in a production of Trinity Tales in the late 1970s and later portrayed Henry VI in a BBC television adaptation of Shakespeare's play in 1983.
