Dennis is keen to show at 83 he's Nobody's Fool.

Lincolnshire's oldest actor is preparing for the roar of the crowds and the smell of the greasepaint for one last time.

Dennis Turnell, at the age of 83, believes he is the oldest living actor in the county, and certainly in his home village of Scothern.

After treading the boards of the Theatre Royal stage and many a village hall, he will finally say his goodbyes to the audience this autumn in his final role.

He said: “I’m thinking this is going to be my last one. You can’t really play a leading man at the age of 83. Well, you can try, but unless they want a decrepit old man in a wheelchair, this is going to be it.”

His final appearance will come as a member of amateur dramatics group the Scothern Players in the Simon Williams production Nobody’s Fool.

Mr Turnell had always been interested in the stage and entertained soldiers manning anti-sites during the Second World War.

He said: “My first experience performing was as a 13-year-old-boy, when I did a comedy act for my Sunday school. Following that, I joined a concert party called The Victory Vees in the early part of the war. We went all around the county entertaining soldiers at various Ack-Ack sites.

“We had a single-decker bus, with a mini-piano in the cab. If they didn’t have a mess hut or somewhere we could perform, we’d invite them on board and do the show from there.

“I did this until being called up into the Army myself. When I got out, I continued with amateur dramatics, with many performances at the Theatre Royal.

“Then, in 1995, I joined the Scothern Players, and I’m told I’m the longest-serving member.”

John Anthony, 57, chairman of the Scothern Players and long-time friend, described Dennis as a “gentleman above all”.

“He’s somewhat of a village icon,” he said.

“Despite his advanced years, he’s still very active. He’s the auctioneer every year for the village’s produce show, cares very much for his wife, and in the winter he plays Father Christmas for the children at the school.

“For a man of his age, he’s an example to us all, and if everyone was like Dennis, the world would be a better place.

“Only Dennis will know when it’s time to give it up. I don’t think it’s naive to think that in another 15 years, he’ll still be going strong.”

Dennis’s final appearances with the Scothern Players take place on October 29, 30 and 31, and November 6 and 7. The curtain goes up at 7.30pm each night and tickets cost £6, or £5 for concessions.
For more information, visit www.scothernplayers.org, or call (01522) 595191.