Why did Liz Smith, Letitia Cropley (also known as The Dibley Poisoner), leave the “The Vicar of Dibley”? She died, as far as the show went, on the Easter Special early in the second season which aired in 1996. Liz Smith however lived on to at least 2013 and continued to work in TV/movies.
Been doing some looking on line but can’t find an answer.
So I ask the all knowing Dopians, why did she leave the show?
The folks at IMDB have two opinions: either she didn’t get along with Dawn French, or her agent asked for more money and they sacked her. Hard to find anything definitive on either of those fronts elsewhere.
I always assumed that was how they wanted the story to go – its Easter, and now the Vicar has a tough job to do. So they picked the eldest cast member for it to happen to. They had many such story-lines – I will always recall the stained glass window repair episode: They replace it with clear plate glass, and send the money they saved to survivors of a recent disaster
I can only guess, but maybe they didn’t expect the series to run 5 seasons. I got tired of it after 2 or 3 seasons myself.
Liz Smith wrote her memoirs. The answer might be there: Amazon.com: Our Betty: 9781416511618: Smith, Liz: Books
Earlier this month there was an internet rumor that she had died. Apparently, this is untrue. More info: Liz Smith confirmed dead at 95 - Mediamass
If it’s in there it will just have to stay in there until someone buys the book and posts the answer here. I’m no where near curious enough to actually pay for the info.
Though Ms Hook and I will be in England next year, maybe I can look her up.