Tom, son of the late Bill Owen who played Compo for twenty seven years in 'Last of the Summer Wine' has just completed his eighth year in the series having followed his father into the worlds longest running television comedy playing Compo's long lost son, Tom Simmonite.

Tom has been an actor for over forty years, beginning his career at Leatherhead Theatre in 1966. He has worked extensively in one, two and three weekly repertory both as an actor and director, has appeared many times in the West End and on Broadway as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He has starred in numerous television series 'Freehweelers', 'Tottering Towers', 'The Onedin Line', 'Upstairs Downstairs', 'Hawkmoor', 'The Bill', 'Minder' are just a few. He has run his own theatre and is Head of Drama at Thames Valley University and holds the prestigious Gold Medal from the London Academy of Dramatic Art. He is to be found playing in panto every Christmas - anything from Dame, to the Sherriff of Nottingham to Baron Hardup! He has also taught at all the major London Drama Schools.

Films include 'Goodbye Mr. Chips' with Peter O'Toole, 'Unman, Wittering & Zigo' with David Hemmings, 'Great Expectations' with Michael York and 'Queenie' with Kirk Douglas.

For the past few years Tom has been touring his one man show 'Last of the Summer Wine - Treading the Boards' the story of his father, himself and 'Last of the Summer Wine' both nationally and on the Cruise Lines.

'Last of the Summer Wine' has seen off six US Presidents, five British Prime Ministers and it looks as though it will extend it's place in the history books with another series in 2008!

Tom Owen's after dinner talk - 'Last of the Summer Wine - Treading the Boards' is a mixture of theatrical stories and anecdotes - a short insight into the lives of Tom and his father and of course, a behind the scenes peek at 'Last of the Summer Wine'

It is the story of two men who happen to be father and son. It tells of the laughter and the tears, the highs and the lows of being an actor. How Bill almost gave up showbusiness and became a lecturer and how he began writing song lyrics just to earn a few extra bob. Bet you never knew he wrote hits for Ken Dodd, Cliff Richard, Matt Monro and Sasha Distel ?! How Tom worked with Kirk Douglas one day and signed on the dole the next !