Askwith made his television debut as a yob in the BBC series Scene and attended the Corona Theatre School in between acting jobs. He had roles in historical epic films Alfred the Great, Otley, and Cool It Carol! in 1970. He appeared on television in series such as Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Father, Dear Father, and a recurring role as Eddie in Please Sir! and its spin-off The Fenn Street Gang.
Askwith also starred in horror films like Tower of Evil, The Flesh and Blood Show, and Horror Hospital. He played Mike Abbot in the film version of television sitcom Bless This House (1972), becoming good friends with co-star Sid James. In 1973, producers offered Askwith a role in Carry On Girls, which also starred Sid James. In December 2023, Askwith was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at a hospital in Malta.
Robin Askwith is a British actor known for his roles in various TV shows and films. He began his career in horror films, including Antony Balch’s Horror Hospital (1973) and Confessions of a Window Cleaner (1974). The film series, which ended with Confessions from a Holiday Camp (1977), led to three sequels, Confessions of a Pop Performer (1975), Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976), and Confessions from a Private Soldier (1977).
Askwith also appeared in soap operas EastEnders, Doctors, Hollyoaks, and Coronation Street, where he played a holiday tour guide named Aidan. In 1999, he published his autobiography, The Confessions of Robin Askwith. In 2000, he had a role in the horror film The Asylum.
Askwith made a cameo appearance in Run For Your Wife in 2013, and appeared in an episode of Emmerdale in 2015. He also appeared in Benidorm and Casualty. In 2021, he joined Channel 5’s drama series The Madame Blanc Mysteries as a series regular, with a Christmas special broadcast in 2022 and a second series to be broadcast in 2023.
Askwith has also appeared in pantomimes, including Dick Whittington, Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, and Aladdin. He has also appeared in Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui and the Child Catcher in a touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Askwith has been married to actress Leonie Mellinger and aromatherapist Mary Smith. He lives on Gozo, a Mediterranean island near Malta, where he enjoys swimming, underwater diving, and yachting.
He’s a lovely guy too.
