Education
He attended Queen Mary"s Grammar School, Walsall.
He attended Queen Mary"s Grammar School, Walsall.
He began his career on radio and made an appearance in a 1953 film of Henry V. His first television appearances were in 1960 in a series of Shakespearean plays. His most famous role was as Detective Sergeant John Watt in Z-Cars from 1962-1965, and thereafter its spin-offs Softly, Softly and Softly, Softly: Taskforce from 1966-1976. He appeared as "Tobin" in Series 6, Episode 9 of The Avengers.
From 1987-1989 he starred in the comedy drama Flying Lady written by Brian Finch.
He was the subject of This Is Your Life on 3 December 1975 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the Metropolitan Police Sports Club in East Molesey. He starred as a rather old-fashioned headmaster grappling with problems in education in Headmaster, which started as a single play in Play for Today in 1974 and was well received, being expanded into a six-part series in 1977.
His lighter side was demonstrated in the pilot episode of the situation comedy The Dustbinmen in 1968, and as Scoutfinder General in an episode of The Goodies. He had regular roles in the British Broadcasting Corporation drama Casualty.
The Independent Television drama Peak Practice.
He played Major Charlie Grace in EastEnders (1992). Appeared twice in Doctor Who. Had various stage roles, and in his later years appeared in a number of television commercials advertising life-assurance policies for people over-50.