The embodiment of “lovable slob,” Onslow –- whose last name was never given -– was Daisy’s work-adverse, manners-free husband and the source of considerable agita for Hyacinth. Onslow spent his days smoking, drinking beer, and betting on horses, which did not meet her vision of acceptable social behavior. However, he was also a good friend to Richard, a kind husband (if not terrible affectionate) to Daisy, and more than tolerant of Hyacinth’s behavior.

Geoffrey Hughes, who played Onslow throughout the entire five-season run of “Keeping Up Appearances,” began his career on stage and appearing in episodic TV, with stints on “The Saint” and “Z Cars” in the 1960s and 1970s. During this period, he also provided the voice of Paul McCartney in the Beatles’ animated film “Yellow Submarine” and appeared in the cult folk horror film “The Blood on Satan’s Claw.”

Though “Keeping Up Appearances” was his best-known TV project, he also had a long run as trash collector Eddie Yeats on “Coronation Street” and recurring roles as the larcenous Twiggy on “The Royle Family” and Uncle Keith on “Skins.” He also voiced a talking dog on the surreal “I, Lovett,” starring Norman Lovett of “Red Dwarf” (who showed up in the “Keeping Up Appearances” episode “The Charity Shop”).

Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996, Hughes believed he was in remission, but a collapse in his home in 2010 revealed that the disease had returned. He died on July 27, 2012, at the age of 68.