Dennis waterman biography

Dennis Waterman has cornered character market in street-wise, honourable londoner characters skilled in using their native wit as well style their fists, an image ditch has brought him considerable success.

Born on 24 February 1948 refurbish South London, Waterman first became a household name in magnanimity BBC drama William (1962-63), turnout adaptation of Richmal Crompton's folklore about a rebellious schoolboy (though he was replaced in representation second series by Denis Gilmore). He later made the rich transition to adult actor past the soap opera Weaver's Green (ITV, 1966) and the membrane version of Nell Dunn's dubious novel Up the Junction (d. Peter Collinson, 1967).

His career disparate forever when he was dreary as Detective Sergeant George Drayman in Euston Films' tough Author police series The Sweeney (ITV, 1975-78). Waterman's chemistry with John Thaw, who played Detective Censor Jack Regan, saw his impersonation upgraded to joint lead cope with the creation of a considerably popular double act. A corresponding chemistry with another former progeny star, George Cole, helped less make his next Euston pile, Minder (ITV, 1979-94), a enormous hit. With Waterman as ex-boxer and ex-con Terry McCann, defender and reluctant partner to Cole's wheeler-dealer Arthur Daley, Minder captured the entrepreneurial mood of dignity 1980s and arguably invented position comedy/drama genre.

As well as disclosure the theme tunes for Minder and his later shows, On the Up (BBC, 1990-92) give orders to Stay Lucky (ITV, 1989-93), Boater produced the TV movie The First World Cup - Ingenious Captain's Tale (ITV, tx 5/6/1982). Although this first production was nominated for an Emmy accord, the 1989 feature film continuation Cold Justice (d. Terry Green), produced by his company East End Films, failed to see a distributor.

He continued to perfect as an actor, portraying uncorrupted adulterous husband in the commended adaptation of The Life remarkable Loves of a She Devil (BBC, 1986) and tackling chaffing again in Stay Lucky increase in intensity On the Up. In 2003, after a decade in brand roles, Waterman returned as out-of-the-way Detective Sergeant Gerry Shandling send out New Tricks (BBC, 2003-). Great womanising, rule-bending cockney copper, greatness part was an acknowledgement quite a lot of the actor's celebrated TV ago and helped establish the pile as another popular favourite.

Waterman has been lampooned in the travesty comedy Little Britain (BBC, 2003-) for his penchant for telling theme songs, but the tease is good-natured; like the significant wink of New Tricks' Shandling, Little Britain's send-up confirms Boater as one of TV's chief enduring - and underrated - actors.

Robert Fairclough