Off Their Rockers

Marry Hyam dead: star of ITV series Off Their Rockers remembered

Tributes have been paid to ITV star Marry Hyam who has been described as an "absolute delight".

Her agency have described the "adored" actress, who also starred in several films as "caring and funny".

Off Their Rockers given 'Blue Badge' specials

The OAP anarchy will give way to "a brilliant cast of disabled actors to prank the unsuspecting British public" on ITV.

Radio Times review

Faced with charming, plucky pensioners mucking about, we will forgive a lot. It's human nature. The members of the public duped by mischievous codgers in this hidden-camera pranks show, for instance, generally come away with their day brightened. And for us at home, it's hard to cling onto that spoilsport feeling that the hokey set-ups should have made it screamingly obvious that the old-timers were actors.

Even the most unlikely scenarios, such as an elderly couple approaching two young lovers on Brighton beach and immediately announcing that they need someone to watch them rehearse a wedding dance, end in life-affirming smiles all round.

Some of the country's more sprightly pensioners are back for a third series of playing pranks on the unsuspecting public. Showing that there's no age limit on having a silly sense of humour, the hidden camera show tonight sees Seb trying his hand at selling cheap suits and Mo wreaking havoc with his mobility scooter.

Being older doesn't necessarily mean being wiser.

Back for a third run, Off Their Rockers sees a bunch of eccentric senior citizens misbehaving by playing light-hearted pranks on unsuspecting members of the public.

Aged between 63 and 86, all the old cast favourites return with a few new faces thrown into the mix.

Prankster Royston Mayoh has been in the show since it started in 2013. He used to be a TV director and producer on hit shows such as This Is Your Life and Opportunity Knocks.

Now in his seventies, Royston steps in front of the camera to play tricks instead.

"I have always worked with actors and performers," he grins. "So this new career is a very welcome reversal of roles. It is rare that being an OAP is advantagous."

The stunts may seem effortless, but Royston insists a lot of work goes into making them work on screen.

"When we are 'engaging' with a member of the public, we are constantly aware of the hidden camera angles," he adds.

"We have to ensure our subject isn't facing the wrong way or speaking away from the hidden microphone.

"There's no time to relax and enjoy it fully until it's in the can. Then we can laugh - and we certainly do!"

Radio Times review

A generation not often associated with smartphones makes full use of them in the second series of this good-natured geriatric prank show.

Many of us are too addicted to our screens to notice we were about to be on Candid Camera until it was too late. In Off Their Rockers, that's how you end up being outfoxed by a harmless-looking elderly lady - and if one asks you to send a text for her, be very afraid. Be aware, too, of men who ask you to scratch their backs, people selling fajitas "with salsa", nuns on mobility scooters and older couples who appear to have fallen out.

It's rather gladdening to see that, in an apparently driven and heartless society, a lot of people are willing to stop to either help or humour a senior citizen who asks for assistance. And it's almost equally cheering to note that "pull my finger" gags never get, well, old.

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