Rowan Atkinson's oldest brother was the first to see the potential of Mr Bean

Rodney Atkinson says his brother responded with a not uncharacteristic "grunt" when he first impressed upon him the character's potential.

He was, however, able to take quiet satisfaction in seeing his brother appear in the pilot episode of Mr Bean when it was broadcast by ITV in 1990. A series followed which ran until 1995, attracting as many as 18 million viewers.

"Whether he took my persistent advice or made his own mind up I can't say," says Atkinson senior, who was born in 1948. His brother, Rupert, followed two years later and Rowan five years after that.

Ruefully, Rodney adds: "I received no royalty".

Source: http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568374/s/17c44d1b/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Cnews0C87281320CRowan0EAtkinsons0Eoldest0Ebrother0Ewas0Ethe0Efirst0Eto0Esee0Ethe0Epotential0Eof0EMr0EBean0Bhtml/story01.htm

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