Bexley stage star Bob Lacey helped form the Edward Alderton Theatre.  Following his death last month reporter HELOISE WOOD learnt about the amateur dramatic fan’s leading roles.

A "charismatic" former Bexley resident has passed away - but not before leaving his mark on the borough’s theatre world.

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Bob Lacey lived in the borough for half a century and helped create Bexleyheath's Edward Alderton Theatre in the 1970s, which is still going from strength-to-strength today.

His daughter Kim Renny, 55, who lives in Faversham, told News Shopper: "He was born in Lambeth and moved to Bexley for 50 years - we moved there when I was five. 

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"In the 1970s he joined a drama group at the Brampton Road Adult Education Centre (now known as Adult Education College Bexley).

"He helped form the Edward Alderton Theatre with other members from the centre.

"I’d go and see him in his plays and initially I was quite embarrassed because I was a teenager but then I was really proud.

"One of his best roles was that of Alfie - he was naturally very charismatic and was very good looking."

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A Bexley Times review of the play, published on December 16, 1976, praised Bob’s "natural, easy manner" and called him a "born comedian".

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Bob lived in Shuttlemead, Bexley, for around 40 years and ran several businesses during his time in the borough.

Ms Renny said: "He ran a car repair business, RB Lacey Coachworks for around 18 years. 

"Then he opened up a boat shop in Bourne Road, which was open for four years as the wind surfing craze started taking off. 

"We also spent a lot of time on the coast in Faversham and my parents eventually moved there five years ago.

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"My father loved Bexley. He loved how easy it was to get to London and how near it was to the coast.

"He made a lot of friends there and I think many people will remember him."

Ms Renny added: “He had a showbiz funeral with songs from shows so it was a lovely send-off.”

Bob’s friend Shelley Andrews, of Briar Road, Joyden’s Wood, said: “He was a leading light of the theatre in Bexleyheath.

“I acted with him at the college and helped set up the Edward Alderton Theatre with him.

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“He even helped with a lot of the building work, because he had the right skills from his shops.”

The 79-year-old died in Maidstone Hospital last month after battling parkinson’s disease for two years.