 In 2008 , the BBC announced that Russ Abbot would join the cast as a relatively more youthful actor in series 30 . Abbot was cast to allow Sallis and Thornton to reduce their role on the show to only indoor scenes . Abbot portrayed Luther " Hobbo " Hobdyke , who formed a new trio with Entwistle and Alvin . Entwistle , played by Burt Kwouk , was formerly a supporting character brought in to replace Wesley Pegden after the death of actor Gordon Wharmby , but whose role on the show steadily increased in the previous two series . 
