Robin Parkinson (born 25th October 1929 in Coventry) appeared in Coronation Street in May 1973 as caterer Fred Nelson. He began his career at the Belgrade Theatre in his home city and before his retirement appeared in a plethora of British television programmes, specialising in comedy roles in series such as On the Buses, The Dick Emery Show, The Fenn Street Gang, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, The Liver Birds, My Name Is Harry Worth, Dad's Army, A Little Bit of Wisdom (with Norman Wisdom), Love Thy Neighbour, Rising Damp, Bless This House, Happy Ever After, The Many Wives of Patrick, Terry and June, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Shelley, He-De-Hi!, Fresh Fields and 'Allo, 'Allo!