Joseph Laurence Lynch (born 16th July 1925 in Co. Cork, Ireland; died 1st August 2001 in Alicante, Spain) appeared on Coronation Street in two roles: firstly in February 1975 as Huddersfield councillor and former mayor, Harold Digby; and he returned to the programme between August 1978 and December 1979 as taxi driver Ron Mather, who entered into a relationship with Elsie Tanner.
He was educated at the North Monastery Christian Brothers School in Cork and Blackrock College in Dublin, before working at a number of jobs including as a horse-breaker, tree-feller and wine shop manager, before moving into acting full-time. He hosted the comedy radio show Living with Lynch on Radio Éireann during the 1950s.
Perhaps best remembered for his role of tailor Patrick Kelly in the Harry Driver and Vince Powell sitcom Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width from 1967 to 1971, his other credits included roles in Compact, Crown Court, Rule Britannia!, Return of the Saint, Bracken, The Irish R.M. and Glenroe. He was also heard in various roles in the children's animated series Chorlton and the Wheelies.
Film roles included The Siege of Sidney Street, The List of Adrian Messenger, Girl with Green Eyes, The Face of Fu Manchu, Ulysses, Loot, The Saint and the Brave Goose, The Outsider and If You Go Down in the Woods Today.
On stage, he appeared in productions of The Heart's a Wonder, The Bishop's Bonfire, The Poker Session, Lovers and My Darling Daisy.
