Actor Dennis Waterman, who starred in Minder, The Sweeney and New Tricks, has died at the age of 74.
Waterman plays bodyguard Terry McCann in Minder after first making a name for himself as strong cop George Carter in The Sweeney.
A statement from his family said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Denis died very peacefully in a hospital in Spain on Sunday afternoon, with [his wife] I remember him.
Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann with George Cole as Arthur Daly on the Minder set in 1979. Photo: Hilaria McCarthy / Getty Images
“The family kindly asks for our privacy to be respected in this very difficult time.”
Minder brought the underworld of West London to millions of homes up and down the country.
Waterman also played Gary Standing in the BBC’s New Tricks, which he started in 2004. He co-starred with James Bolam and Alan Armstrong as a cold case squad that often clashes with his detective boss, played by Amanda Redman. His other television roles include ITV Where the Heart Is, The Canterbury Tales and Moses Jones, both for the BBC.
He became well known for singing themed songs on many of his shows, and as a result was caricatured by David Williams in Little Britain.
His last film role was in “It’s Never Too Late” in 2020, shot in Australia.
Dennis Waterman as George Carter at The Sweeney in 1978. Photo: Fremantle Media / Rex / Shutterstock
Actor and comedian Matt Lucas was among the admirers.
“I grew up watching Dennis Waterman’s iconic performances at The Sweeney and Minder,” Lucas tweeted. “His guest appearance on our show Little Britain Live at Hammersmith Apollo – in which he cheerfully duets with David’s absurd performance of him – remains the absolute pinnacle of my career.”
Born in London, he was educated at the Corona Theater and began his acting career at an early age and after a role in the Children’s Film Foundation was invited to join the Royal Shakespeare Company of Stratford. This was followed by a role in the BBC adaptation of Just William’s books.
He was married several times, including to actor Rula Lenska until 1998, and his daughter Hannah followed him into acting, getting a role in EastEnders as Laura Biel.
Broadcaster Kay Burley tweeted for Waterman: “A brilliant actor who was a key element on our screens in the ’70s and’ 80s. I loved Sweeney. I loved Minder more. ”
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