Wilfrid was already a successful character actor when late in his career he took on the role of Albert Steptoe. He had often played characters who were considerably older than he was, and although he didn't look for leading roles he was a dependable supporting actor on stage, screen and television.
For their new comedy series, Galton and Simpson had already decided that they didn't want established comedians for the lead roles and were looking for straight actors. So the suave and sophisticated Wilfrid Brambell was cast as the much older and pathetically scruffy curmudgeon, Albert Steptoe.

Harry H Corbett (he added the "H" to avoid being confused with Sooty's friend) was born in Burma in 1925, his father was an officer in the army. His mother died when he was very young and he moved to England as a child and was brought up in Manchester by an aunt.
After serving in the Royal Marines during the war, Harry was a member of Chorlton Repertory Company for three years and later joined Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, appearing in plays by Chekhov, Ibsen, Moliere, Shaw and Shakespeare - and sometimes directing them as well. Harry had appeared in many stage productions and films, and like Wilfrid, was an established actor before being chosen to play the part of the ambitious but often bitterly disappointed Harold Steptoe.

Although both actors appeared in many other roles "Steptoe and Son" will be the show they are most remembered for.

As with many of the BBC TV comedies, the shows included some interesting guests; appearing in the TV shows or the movies were Diana Dors, Yootha Joyce, Milo O'Shea, Leonard Rossiter (Reggie Perrin), Frank Thornton and Mollie Sugden (Are You Being Served), Bill Maynard (Heartbeat), Joanna Lumley and June Whitfield from AbFab and the lovely Carolyn Seymour.

Wilfrid Brambell.

Harry H Corbett.

The 'orse.

Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Carolyn Seymour.

Yootha Joyce.

Leonard Rossiter.

Joanna Lumley.

Patricia Routledge.

June Whitfield.

Diana Dors.