IT WAS the iconic prison sitcom that showed the highs and mostly lows of lag life – as cons tried to survive while staying out of trouble.
The BBC series, which ran for three years until 1977, was adored by fans and featured stellar performances from the likes of Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale.
Last weekend, it was revealed that former star Patricia Brake, who played Ingrid Fletcher, died on Saturday “after a lengthy battle with cancer” at the age of 79.
Many paid tribute to the actress, whose 60-year career saw her land roles in Coronation Street, Emmerdale, EastEnders, Holby City and Going Straight.
Patricia’s death comes 45 years after Porridge aired for a final time – here, we take a look at what its cast did next.
Tragic premature death
Richard Beckinsale played Lennie Godber, a hapless burglar who was the bunk mate of Ronnie Barker’s character, Fletch.
The handsome actor, who sported a large mop of hair, won the hearts of many on the show.
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However, his career was cut tragically short when at 31 he suffered a fatal heart attack in his sleep in 1979.
Richard left behind his partner, Judy Loe, and daughter Kate Beckinsale, who would later follow in her father’s footsteps.
She became a Hollywood A-lister after bagging the lead role in the Underworld franchise and other parts in films like Click, Aviator and Vacancy.
Kate, who was just five when her dad died, admitted she couldn’t “really remember having any conversations with him” but was touched by the public’s fondness of Richard.
The 48-year-old added: “He’s still such a huge figure in England, which I find moving and impressive all these years later.”
Sad death after heart problems
Ronnie Barker gave an unforgettable performance as sneaky lag Norman Stanley Fletcher, known as ‘Fletch’, who spent more than half his adult life behind bars.
The role came alongside his work as one half of legendary sketch group The Two Ronnies, alongside Ronnie Corbett, and in Open All Hours with Sir David Jason.
Ronnie died from heart problems at the age of 76 and more than 1,800 people attended the comedy great’s funeral at Westminster Abbey.
Game Of Thrones role
Peter Vaughan made a name for himself playing on-screen tough guys, but is remembered best for his portrayal of Harry Grout in Porridge.
The actor – who past away aged 93 in 2016 – spent seven decades in entertainment and appeared alongside the likes of Sir Anthony Hopkins and even Frank Sinatra.
In recent years, Peter gained a generation of younger fans after playing Aemon Targaryen in Game Of Thrones, who was the Maester in Castle Black and served the Night’s Watch.
History maker
Tony Osoba, who played Jim ‘Jock’ McClaren, made history by becoming Scotland’s first black actor to appear in a TV programme.
Later, he starred in Doctor Who and appeared twice in Coronation Street as two separate characters.
Tony, now 75, reflected fondly on his time on the BBC hit and said: “It was so beautifully written.”
Comedy breakthrough
Despite only appearing in Porridge for just three episodes as elderly crook Blanco, Sir David Jason went to forge an impressive career.
His appearance in the sitcom helped him land lead roles in Only Fools And Horses, The Darling Buds Of May and A Touch Of Frost.
Sir David, now 82, received a knighthood from the Queen in 2005 and said he was “humbled” by the “fantastic tribute” to his acting career.
Reality show winner
He’s best known as a panto dame and the 2007 winner of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! but Christopher Biggins also played a memorable part in Porridge.
The actor, now 73, starred as a gay knitting-lover ‘Lukewarm’ – named so because that was the temperature of the food he served from the prison kitchens.
Christopher admitted the character was “a bit like me” and claimed “the public loved” the role as well as his passion for the needle and wool hobby.
“I received letters from people asking what Lukewarm would be knitting in the next series,” he recalled.
Surprise film career take off
Fulton Mackay starred as prison officer Mr Mackay, whose lifelong task was to catch out scheming Fletch.
While that dream was never achieved, the sitcom served as a springboard for his career and allowed him to bag several film roles.
He appeared in Britannia Hospital, Local Hero and Defense Of The Realm before his death in 1987 from stomach cancer, at the age of 64.
Bagged bigger role
Prison officer Mr Barrowclough, played by Brian Wilde, often ended up as the butt of jokes and was regularly taken for a ride by the inmates.
But after Porridge came to an end, the actor went on to bigger things alongside his co-star Sir David.
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He bagged his most memorable role as Walter ‘Foggy’ Dewhurst in Last Of The Summer Wine, which he played for two decades.
In 2008, he suffered a fall and never managed to fully recover. He died that same year aged 80.
