A British icon of significantly the small display screen has left us. Dennis Waterman, star of sequence reminiscent of The Sweeney, Minder and New Tips, has died aged 74.

Born in Clapham in 1948, Waterman was the youngest of eight and, by his personal admission, “spoiled rotten” by his siblings. Following an early indoctrination into boxing by his newbie pugilist father, he caught the appearing bug early, showing on stage and screens.

His preliminary movie function was in Evening Prepare For Inverness, and he additionally labored with the Royal Shakespeare Firm. But he initially turned greatest recognized for taking part in William Brown within the BBC TV sequence William based mostly on the Simply William books of Richmal Crompton.

On TV, Waterman turned a family identify because of The Sweeney, enjoying DS George Carter, which was adopted by one other basic, showing alongside George Cole in Minder. Extra not too long ago, he was one of many stars of New Tips.

On the large display screen, his credit included Scars Of Dracula, Up The Junction, Snowball and Sweeney!, which introduced the TV characters on to movie. Alongside his appearing work, Waterman was also called a singer, releasing albums and performing theme tunes for a number of of his exhibits.

“We’re deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis handed away very peacefully in hospital in Spain,” stated Waterman’s household in an announcement. “He died on Sunday afternoon with spouse Pam at his facet. The household kindly ask that our privateness is revered at this very troublesome time.”