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Hywel Thomas Bennett (born 8 April 1944) is a Welsh film and television actor. Bennett is best known for his recurring title role as James Shelley in the television sitcom Shelley from 1979 to 1984 and its sequel The Return of Shelley from 1988 to 1992. After being made famous when he starred in the 1969 comedy film The Virgin Soldiers, Bennett made film appearances in films such as Percy and Loot, and made his other noted role as gangster Jack Dalton in EastEnders in 2003. Bennett retired in 2007 after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. He is also the brother of Alun Lewis,... MORE

Hywel Thomas Bennett (born 8 April 1944) is a Welsh film and television actor. Bennett is best known for his recurring title role as James Shelley in the television sitcom Shelley from 1979 to 1984 and its sequel The Return of Shelley from 1988 to 1992. After being made famous when he starred in the 1969 comedy film The Virgin Soldiers, Bennett made film appearances in films such as Percy and Loot, and made his other noted role as gangster Jack Dalton in EastEnders in 2003. Bennett retired in 2007 after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. He is also the brother of Alun Lewis, who is best known for playing Vic Windsor in Emmerdale. Bennett was born in Garnant, Carmarthenshire, Wales, the son of Sarah Gwen (née Lewis) and Gorden Bennett. He is the brother of actor Alun Lewis. Brought up in London from an early age, he attended Sunnyhill School, Streatham, Henry Thornton Grammar School, Clapham and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Bennett is best known for his appearances on British television. He played small parts in Doctor Who (1965) and The Sweeney (1976). He starred in The Virgin Soldiers (1969), the film adaptation of Loot (1970) by Joe Orton, Percy (1971) and LESS