Dennis Waterman

Dennis Waterman was an English actor and singer whose career lasted around 60 years, beginning with childhood parts in film and theater. Born in Clapham, south west London, he attended the Corona Academy stage school and appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1960. He played Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man in the West End and Oliver Twist in Oliver! at the Mermaid Theatre, and starred as William Brown in the BBC series William. He had a major role in Up the Junction (1968), then appeared in Scars of Dracula (1970), Fright (1971) and the western Man in the Wilderness (1971). The role of DS George Carter in The Sweeney made him a household name, and from 1979 he starred as Terry McCann in Minder, singing its theme song, a top three UK hit in 1980. Later work included the musical Windy City, all series of New Tricks and the film Never Too Late (2020).