Dennis Waterman death news – Wild boozing & violent attacks revealed as Minder star passes after secret cancer battle

Showbiz career started from a young age

Born in London, he was educated at the Corona Theatre School, and began his showbiz career at a young age, and following a role for the Children’s Film Foundation, was invited to join Stratford’s Royal Shakespeare Company.

A role in the BBC’s adaptation of the Just William books followed, and the actor would, in his later years, reflect on some of the different roles he undertook.

In 2009, he starred in the BBC’s hard-hitting drama Moses Jones, a role which he said at the time, he enjoyed because it cast him in a different light.

“I really enjoyed it, because it was a very different kind of character – and that’s important. On television in Britain, I’m sort of the cheeky chappie, everybody’s mate, but I’ve never played anything like that in the theatre. It’s strange that you get cast as different things in different parts of the media,” he told PA at the time.

Which TV shows did Dennis Waterman star in?

His most well-known roles were in The Sweeney (1975 – 1978), Minder (1979 – 1994) and New Tricks (2003 – 2015).

Dennis even sang the theme tunes for Minder and New Tricks, as well as releasing three studio albums and 12 singles.

Beyond his tough-guy roles that made him a household name in the UK, he appeared in many more TV shows and 29 films.

• Never Too Late (2020)
• Moses Jones (2009)
• Back In Business (2007)
• The Knock (1997 – 1999)
• Sweeney! (1977)
• Sweeny 2 (1978)
• Scars of Dracula (1970)
• Up The Junction (1968)
• Windy City (1982)
• Fair Exchange (1962 – 1963)

“Another icon gone”

Comedian Paddy McGuiness wrote: “Myself and my Phoenix Nights cast mates used to sing the theme tune to Minder on tour and on the Karaoke! Gutted I never got to meet him, always wanted to be Terry McCann. Another icon from my childhood gone. RIP Dennis Waterman.”

DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles shared: “I played golf on a tour to Bermuda with Dennis Waterman – I’m not much of a golfer – he was – but it was time spent with him between rounds that were well worth the trip. A genuinely lovely guy. RIP.”

And Sky News journalist Kay Burley wrote: “RIP Dennis Waterman. A brilliant actor who was a staple on our screens throughout the 70s and 80s. Loved The Sweeney. Loved Minder more. He was 74.”

Who was Dennis Waterman?

Dennis Waterman was born in Clapham, London on February 24, 1948.

He appeared in shows such as New Tricks, Minder and The Sweeney as a tough guy archetype.

As a child he began acting, his first role was in 1960 for a film called Night Train to Inverness.

He died on Sunday, May 8, 2022, with his wife Pam Flint at his side.

His family said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis, passed away very peacefully at his home in Spain.

“The family kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

Who is Hannah Waterman?

Hannah Elizabeth Waterman was born on July 22, 1975, in London.

She is the eldest daughter of The Sweeney star Dennis and Dr Who actress Patricia, and has one younger sister, Julia.

Her father Dennis died on May 8, 2022, in his home in Spain.

She joined the National Youth Theatre at the age of 16.

Hannah has appeared in numerous TV roles as well as theatre appearances, including Calendar Girls, in the West End.

She played Hooch in Harry Potter And The Cursed Child and Mrs Brill in Mary Poppins on stage in Australia.

Hannah made an exercise tape in 2009 called Hannah Waterman’s Body Blitz.

She also starred in a Christmas celebrity version of Come Dine With Me in the same year.

She also appeared in:

• The Bill (2006)
• Doctors (2012 – 2013)
• Tess of the D’Urbervilles (1998)
• Trust (2000)
• To Cancer and Beyond (2009)
• Patient 17 (2011)

Matt Lucas’ heartwarming tweet to Dennis

Little Britain’s Matt Lucas has posted a heartwarming tweet to Dennis Waterman.

Lucas said: “I grew up watching Dennis Waterman’s iconic performances in The Sweeney and Minder.

“His guest appearance in our Little Britain Live show at Hammersmith Apollo – in which he hilariously duetted with David’s absurd impersonation of him – remains the absolute highlight of my career.”

Where was Dennis Waterman from?

Dennis was born in South London in 1948.

He studied at the Corona Theatre School before appearing in some of British TV’s most beloved dramas.

The actor found fame as hardman copper George Carter in The Sweeney, and was also well known for his roles in Minder and New Tricks.

He was also a singer, and released three albums and 12 singles, including his 1983 song What Are We Gonna Get ‘Er Indoors?, a collaboration with George Cole that reached number 21 in the charts.

In his final years Dennis Waterman lived in Spain with his fourth wife Pam Flint.

‘Dennis embodied a golden age for TV & Britain’

This is a comment piece by Ally Ross.

THE sad, unexpected news of Dennis Waterman’s death will have hit a generation of viewers like a right hook from Terry McCann yesterday.

For those of us of a certain age, the actor and his two greatest creations embodied a golden and better age not just for TV but the country itself.

The first was his 1975-78 role as DS George Carter, alongside John Thaw’s equally memorable Jack Regan, in The Sweeney.

If you mention the show to a 50-plus viewer, a wistful glow of satisfaction, tinged with regret, will spread over their faces as they mutter: “Get ya trousers on, you’re nicked.”

However, after spoiling us silly for ten years, Waterman left the ITV series in 1989 and went on to appear in many other successes, such as New Tricks.

True TV fans will mourn the passing of a fine actor, his unforgettable shows and a time when a cop, like Carter, could tell a villain: “You bruise him and you’ll need an embalmer, not a brief.”

Read the article in full here.

Who was Dennis’ second wife?

The TV legend’s second wife was also an actress in Patricia Maynard, who he married just a year after divorcing his previous spouse.

The couple had two daughters together – Hannah and Julia.

Patricia featured in a range of TV shows during her career, including Doctor Who, General Hospital, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Casualty and Holby City.

She also appeared in The Sweeney and Minder – both of which she starred alongside Dennis.

Patricia also played Edwina Dunn in EastEnders – the mother of Laura Beale, played by her own daughter Hannah.

But, Dennis and Patricia divorced in 1987 and she later remarried circuit judge Jeremy Griggs.

When did Dennis Waterman and Pam Flint get married?

Minder and The Sweeney star Waterman and Pam Flint tied the knot in November 2011.

It was his fourth marriage, having previously wedded Penny Dixon, Patricia Maynard and Rula Lenska.

The couple were married for more than ten years, with wife Pam by his side until the end.

A family statement read: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis, passed away very peacefully at his home in Spain, on Saturday evening, with Pam by his side.”

Family statement

Following the news of Dennis Waterman’s passing, a family statement said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis, passed away very peacefully at his home in Spain, on Saturday evening, with Pam by his side.

“The family kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

The cause of Waterman’s death is still unknown.

When did Dennis Waterman move to Spain?

Speaking to the Mirror in 2015, following the conclusion of New Tricks, the actor said he had downsized and moved to Spain.

He said at the time that he was relaxed about looking for new work after the show wrapped and was enjoying retirement.

He said: “I’m not rushing about looking for work really – I’ll see how far the money goes.

“I’ve found out a remarkable thing about myself is that I’m really, really good at doing f***-all.

He added: “I’ve always sneered at people who have gone in to early retirement and thought what are you going to do, but I’ve taken to it like a duck to water.”

It’s not known exactly when he moved there.

Dennis Waterman’s TV credits

His most well-known roles were in The Sweeney (1975 – 1978), Minder (1979 – 1994) and New Tricks (2003 – 2015).

Dennis even sang the theme tunes for Minder and New Tricks, as well as releasing three studio albums and 12 singles.

Beyond his tough-guy roles that made him a household name in the UK, he appeared in many more TV shows and 29 films.

• Never Too Late (2020)
• Moses Jones (2009)
• Back In Business (2007)
• The Knock (1997 – 1999)
• Sweeney! (1977)
• Sweeny 2 (1978)
• Scars of Dracula (1970)
• Up The Junction (1968)
• Windy City (1982)
• Fair Exchange (1962 – 1963)

Dennis started acting when he was aged 13

Dennis Waterman took up his first role aged just 13 and his last film role was in Never Too Late in 2020, filmed in Australia.

He became one of Britain’s best-known faces through the 1970s, when he played DS George Carter in ITV’s police drama The Sweeney.

The actor then played bodyguard Terry McCann in the comedy-drama Minder, bringing London’s criminal underworld to millions.

He left the role in 1989 after his seventh series.

And he played Gerry Standing in crime drama New Tricks for more than a decade, starting when it began in 2003.

Who is Hannah Waterman?

Hannah Elizabeth Waterman was born on July 22, 1975, in London.

She is best known for starring in EastEnders as Laura Beale between 2000 and 2004.

Her parents are actor Dennis Waterman and his second wife, actress Patricia Maynard – she has one sister too.

Dennis died on May 8, 2022, in his home in Spain.

Hannah made an exercise tape in 2009 called Hannah Waterman’s Body Blitz.

She also starred in a Christmas celebrity version of Come Dine With Me in the same year.

Kay Burley apologises for Dennis Waterman tribute blunder

Sky news’ Kay Burley was forced to apologised after she confused Dennis Waterman with another TV star following his death.

Taking to Twitter, Sky News presenter Kay accidentally paid tribute to “Pete” Waterman, the record producer and judge on ITV’s Pop Idol, rather than the Minder actor.

In a follow-up tweet the anchor wrote: “RIP Dennis Waterman. A brilliant actor who was a staple on our screens throughout the 70s and 80s.

“Loved The Sweeney. Loved Minder more. He was 74.”

“My apologies for using the incorrect first name for Dennis in a previous tweet which I have deleted,” she added.

What was Dennis Waterman’s cause of death?

The family of Dennis Waterman announced his passing on May 8, 2022.

At the time no reasoning was given for the star’s passing.

He was working as recently as 2020 in the Australian comedy Never Too Late.

Dennis died at his home in Spain, with Pam Flint at his side – the pair married in 2011 but met initially in 1996.

Which TV shows did Dennis Waterman star in?

His most well-known roles were in The Sweeney (1975 – 1978), Minder (1979 – 1994) and New Tricks (2003 – 2015).

Dennis even sang the theme tunes for Minder and New Tricks, as well as releasing three studio albums and 12 singles.

Beyond his tough-guy roles that made him a household name in the UK, he appeared in many more TV shows and 29 films.

• Never Too Late (2020)
• Moses Jones (2009)
• Back In Business (2007)
• The Knock (1997 – 1999)
• Sweeney! (1977)
• Sweeny 2 (1978)
• Scars of Dracula (1970)
• Up The Junction (1968)
• Windy City (1982)
• Fair Exchange (1962 – 1963)

He was spending a lot of time ‘lolling in the sun’ in Spain

Speaking after New Tricks concluded in 2015, the actor said that he had downsized homes and moved to Spain to enjoy the sun.

He told The Mirror at the time: “I’m not rushing about looking for work really – I’ll see how far the money goes. I’ve found out a remarkable thing about myself is that I’m really, really good at doing f***-all.”

He said that while he was not fully retired, he was spending a lot of time ‘lolling in the sun’ and playing golf.

Who was Rula?

Rula Lenska – born in a Polish refugee camp in St Neots – was also an actress and Dennis’s third wife.

The pair married in 1987 – shortly after Waterman’s second divorce.

Rula also appeared in several soaps, including EastEnders, Coronation Street, Doctors and Casualty – before going on tour with the Calendar Girls.

She had also starred in Minder, where she met Dennis. However, the marriage ended in 1998.

Dennis spoke about what it was like working with George Cole

Dennis said: “I WAS cast first and I was told George Cole was going to do it, and he had done a wonderful serial called A Man Of Our Times, about a middle-aged man who is made redundant and his whole life is shattered by it all.

“I thought he was much too nice and too posh to play Arthur Daley. I obviously underrated his expertise a great deal.

“We were both from South London, we were both child actors who had made it through to adults and he had a wicked sense of humour.

“We just, after two or three days, realised how much we liked working with each other.

“I went to a party he threw commemorating the 40th year of his first job and I was amazed at the galaxy of famous people there, all laughing.

“He had that magical quality, you just looked at George and you smiled.

“He was a complete dream, he was the most professional person and just about the nicest person.

“He was loved by everybody who worked with him.”

Domestic violence trivialising accusations

Dennis Waterman had previously been accused of trivialising domestic violence.

He previously described hitting his former wife Rula Lenska but said she was not “a beaten wife”.

He told Piers Morgan he was “very, very ashamed” of what he had done.

Speaking on Morgan’s Life Stories series he said: “The problem with strong, intelligent women is that they can argue, well. And if there is a time where you can’t get a word in … I lashed out.”

He added that he may have had too much to drink.

Dennis said: “I must have punched her one time because she did have a black eye,” adding “she certainly wasn’t a beaten wife, she was hit and that’s different.”

If you need support or are worried about someone else, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or contact them online.