User:Tentinator/List of On the Buses characters

The following is a list of characters that appeared in the ITV sitcom On the Buses. All the main characters were created by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney.

Stan Butler
Stanley "Stan" Butler, played by Reg Varney, is a bus driver for The Luxton & District Traction Company. He drove the number eleven route to the cementary gates and attempted to "woo the conductresses". Both Stan and Jack, his conductor, did their best to annoy Inspector Blake.

Varney was allowed to drive the bus himself, as long as he didn't carry any fare-paying passengers.

On 22 March 1973, The Age said Varney had quit the role as Stan and that he had only signed to do seven shows out of the thirteen-part seventh series. Varney said:"We act it straight. It can be drama as well as comedy. It's a fine hairline, knowing the difference. We don't put in jokes. In fact, we take out jokes if they are interfering with the truth of the situation."

Olive Rudge
Olive Rudge (née Butler), played by Anna Karen, is the brother of Stan Butler and was married to Arthur Rudge. The beginning of series seven saw Olive get divorced in court.

Arthur Rudge
Arthur Rudge, played by Michael Robbins, is the layabout husband of Olive Rudge.

Mum
Mabel "Mum" Butler was initially played by Cicely Courtneidge for the first series. The role was recast to Doris Hare, who played the character from series two to series seven. Mum is the mother of Stan Butler and Olive Rudge.

Reception
The Daily Telegraph said:"The widowed Mrs Butler was a sympathetic role which Doris Hare played with naturalness. The series brought her widespread recognition; half way up a mountain in Montenegro she was once obliged to admit to an enthusiastic fan, 'Yes, I'm Reg Varney's mum.'"

Jack Harper
Jack Harper, played by Bob Grant, is Stan Butler's best friend and conductor. Both Stan and Jack are known for their attempts to "woo the conductresses".

Inspector Blake
Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake, played by Stephen Lewis, is a dictatorial bus inspector for The Luxton & District Traction Company. He became famous for his catchphrase "I 'ate you, Butler", used towards driver Stan Butler. The catchphrase was sometimes followed by "Get that bus out!"