Simon Ward was in Gray's first play, Wise Child  (pictured left, seated, with Alec Guinness), and went on to appear in Spoiled, The Rear Column and Cell Mates. He also appeared in the television versions of both Spoiled and The Rear Column.  No actor other than Alan Bates was so memorably linked with Gray's work. 

Ward was part of the company that joined in the tribute to Gray at the Comedy Theatre, London, where he read an extract from How's That for Telling 'Em, Fat Lady? (a recording of which can be seen here). Most recently, he gave a wonderful performance as King George in the touring production of The Madness of George III.

He was a fine actor and dear friend.