The South African born actor Wensley Pithey (20th January 1914 to 10th November 1993) played Wilfred Perkins in Coronation Street in 1972.

An actor from the age of twelve he emigrated to England after the Second World War. A portly figure, he worked continuously on television and was the first actor to portray 'Friar Tuck' on British television. Guest roles followed in Dixon of Dock Green, Callan, Howards Way, Lipstick on your Collar and many other programmes. He played recurring characters in Jacks and Knaves, Call the Gun Expert, and Special Branch (alongside Fulton Mackay).

For over a decade he appeared in German adverts for Tchibo Coffee.