Actor. Born at Merton, Surrey, the son of Morna Phyllis Richardson, a drama and music teacher, and Joseph Briers, a bookmaker and cousin of actor Terry-Thomas. He left school at 16 and obtained a job as a filing clerk until called up two years later, and doing similar work for the RAF during his National Service. While serving at RAF, he became involved in the drama society at London's Borough Polytechnic Institute, encouraged along by his cousin. After separation from the military, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he silver medal for his portrayal of Hamlet. In 1956, he made his professional debut at the Playhouse Theatre in Liverpool, where he also met his wife, Ann. He worked continuously either on tour or in the West End until 1962 when he broke into television as a young barrister in Henry Cecil's 'Brothers In Law.' In a role created especially for him, he played in the television series 'Marriage Lines' from 1963 to 1966. It was the series that established him in the public mind. He maintained his stage career as well, appearing in the West End in such plays as 'Arsenic and Old Lace' in 1966; 'Absurd Person Singular' in 1973; and 'Richard III' in 1972. In 1975, he was cast as Tom Good in the BBC series, 'The Good Life; in what is possibly his most memorable role. The show ran until 1978. Never without work, he continued to appear in television on BBC and ITV as well as on stage. He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1989 Queen's Honours List for his services to drama. After joining Kenneth Branagh's Renaissance Theatre Company, he appeared as Malvlio in their production of 'Twelfth Night' followed by appearances in 'King Lear' and 'Uncle Vanya', as well as in the film versions of the plays 'Henry V' in 1989, 'Much Ado About Nothing' in 1993 and 'Hamlet' in 1996. During the 1990s, he appeared on BBC Radio and in such television programs as 'Lovejoy', 'Inspector Morse' and 'Midsomer Murders'. Between 2000 and 2005 he played Laird Hector MacDonald in the BBC series 'Monarch of the Glen.' He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to drama, the same year he appeared in the film 'Peter Pan'. In addition to his acting career, he found time to write and publish several books; 'Natter Natter' in 1981; 'Coward and Company' in 1987; 'English Country Churches' in 1988; 'A Little Light Weeding' in 1993; and 'A Taste of the Good Life' in 1995. After a life time smoking habit, he quit in 2003, and was diagnosed with emphysema in 2008. That same year he appeared in the Dr Who spinoff, 'Torchwood' and for the first time in his career he slowed down, appearing in only one or two productions a year, his last being voice over work in the popular BBC series 'Top Gear' which aired a week after his death.