Yesterday, we were saddened to hear of the passing of Beryl Virtue. The influential producer was a pioneer in the industry, having been a key figure in television since the 1960s. Beryl started her career as a secretary, and worked her way up to becoming a multi award-winning producer, with her work gaining her international recognition.

Hartswood Films, the production company founded by Beryl in 1979, is responsible for creating some of the most instantly recognisable television that this country has produced in the last 40 years; including Sherlock, the incredibly successful retelling of the classic Sir Arthur Conon Doyle novels, as well as sitcom Men Behaving Badly which had huge success in the 1990s.

Her services to the television industry were recognised in 2000 when she was awarded an OBE and again in 2016 when she received a CBE.  

There has been an outpouring of kind words and tributes from former colleagues who had the opportunity to work with Beryl. Not only was she an amazingly talented producer, but a kind and generous woman whose legacy will be remembered for many years to come.

SAW’s Allison Dowzell said “Beryl was a pioneer in our industry and we were delighted, as part of her commitment to Wales, that she chose Cardiff as the home for the ground breaking reinvention of `Sherlock’. We send our condolences to Debbie, Sue and their families. “

She will be sorely missed.

Beryl Vertue 1931 – 2022