Compo was written out of the series in 2000 following the death of actor Bill Owen the year before. Although Owen had been seriously ill, according to Truly and Clegg, Compo died from a heart attack after catching the sight of Nora Batty in chorus girl clothes.

Did Compo die during filming?

Bill Owen had starred in the comedy, set in Holmfirth, in the Yorkshire Pennines, for 26 years. He fell ill last month in France during shooting of a millennium special of the series. ... The character of Compo, with his dirty wellies, scruffy clothes and woolly hat made Bill Owen a household name.

How did Compo die?

BBC News | Entertainment | Final farewell to Summer Wine star. Last of the Summer Wine Star Bill Owen has been laid to rest in the Yorkshire village of Holmfirth, the setting for the popular TV series he cherished. The 85-year-old, who played Compo, died last week after losing his battle against cancer of the pancreas.