J. G. Devlin
James Gerard Devlin (8 October 1907 – 17 October 1991) was a Northern Irish actor who made his stage debut in 1931, and had long association with the Ulster Group Theatre. In a career spanning nearly sixty years, he played parts in TV productions such as "Z-Cars", "Dad's Army", "The New Avengers" and "Bread". He also guest starred, alongside Leonard Rossiter, in an episode of "Steptoe and Son", "The Desperate Hours". The writers of "Steptoe and Son" - Ray Galton and Alan Simpson - have since revealed that Devlin was second choice to play the part of Albert  Steptoe in the series, behind Wilfrid Brambell. He also appeared as Father Dooley, a Catholic priest, in several episodes of Carla Lane's "Bread", his last television appearance. In 1969 he was in the Abbey Theatre production of "Macook's Corner". where he played the part of Neal Macook. In 1956 he appeared in a play by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy "Light Falling" where he played the part of Pat Scully, this was produced by Jack MacGowran in the Lyric Theatre (Hammersmith) as an 'opener' for Seán O'Casey play "The Shadow of a Gunman" In 1978 he had a small  part in the Thames Television / Euston Films Drama The Sweeney (Season 4 Episode 5, 'Nightmare'), playing 'Haig' a handyman in an antique dealers yard. The yard owner was a former IRA operative. He was Vivian Stanshall's personal choice for the role of Old Scrotum, the Wrinkled Retainer in the Charisma Films version of "Sir Henry at Rawlinson End", released in 1980. Early life. Devlin was born at 35 Waterville Street, Belfast, the eldest child of labourer Edward Devlin and Isabella Hamill. He had three younger sisters, Rose, Kathleen and Isabella.