Dennis Waterman, Minder, New Tricks star dies

 

 

London born and educated at Corona Theatre School, Actor Dennis Waterman (74), of Minder, the Sweeny, and New Tricks fame has died on Sunday afternoon with his wife Pam on his side, his family has said in a statement “ We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis passed away very peacefully in hospital in Spain”.

 Waterman began his career in a role for the Children’s Film Foundation, after which, at the age of 12, he was invited to join Stratford’s Royal Shakespeare Company. He became famous in his teens in William, the BBC’s adaptation of Just William. In ITV’s police drama, Sweeny he played Det Sgt George Carter opposite John Thaw. He had more success in Minder from 1979 to 1§989 as Terry McCann, the bodyguard and partner to George Cole’s Wheeler dealer Arthur Daley.

Waterman also starred in the comedies On the UP and Stay Lucky, before another Cockney detective in New Tricks which ran from 2003 to 2015. In New Trick, his character was Gerry Standing saw him star alongside acting stalwarts James Bolam and Alun Armstrong. He was known for singing the theme songs for many of his shows. His song reached number three on the UK charts with “I Could Be So Good For You”, the theme song from Minder. During his guest appearance in our Little Britain Live show at Hammersmith Apollo, he hilariously duetted with David’s absurd impersonation of him. His last film role was Never Too Late in 2020, which was filmed in Australia. Waterman had been married several times, including to actress Rula Lenska until 1998, and his daughter Hannah became a TV star in her own right landing a role in EastEnders as Laura Beale.