He died with his wife by his side
Dennis Waterman has died at the age of 74, his family have confirmed.
The actor was known for his roles in TV shows Minder, The Sweeney and New Tricks.
Waterman died on Sunday afternoon with wife Pam by his side, his family said in a statement.
#DennisWaterman was one of our biggest TV stars throughout the 70s and 80s, an everyman figure who felt like one of us. A naturalistic, nuanced actor. Terrific in The Sweeney, unforgettable in Minder (helluva song too, lampoonery aside). They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. pic.twitter.com/f66SnBsNsk
— Jonathan Sothcott (@sothcott) May 8, 2022
They 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.”
RIP Dennis Waterman who has died today – a fabulous actor and a member of the best detective double act seen on TV. pic.twitter.com/zFQdJHLVnw
— Ephemeral Clarity (@chris_London2) May 8, 2022
Waterman rose to fame as a teenager, when he starred in the BBC drama William. He became one of Britain’s best-known faces on TV in the 1970s – playing Detective Sergeant George Carter in ITV’s police drama The Sweeney.
The actor became even more successful starring in Minder between 1979 to 1989. He played Terry McCann – the bodyguard and partner of George Cole’s wheeler dealer, Arthur Daley.
"We're The Sweeney, son, and we haven't had any dinner. You've kept us waiting, so unless you want a kicking you tell us where those photographs are."
RIP Dennis Waterman pic.twitter.com/4gdej8KU4d— Mark Davis (@MDavis_2020) May 8, 2022
Waterman also starred in comedies including On the Up and Stay Lucky. In the noughties, he ventured back to New Tricks, where he played another Cockney detective for twelve years up to 2015.
Tributes have already started pouring in for the late actor.
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. pic.twitter.com/RsTrABh5Br
— Matt Lucas HQ (@RealMattLucas) May 8, 2022
Posting on Twitter, Matt 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.”
RIP Dennis Waterman, often filmed at early 80s Stamford Bridge for the ITV show Minder. His character Terry was a diehard Chelsea fan.pic.twitter.com/qSiEJGB79d
— Gary Taphouse (@garytaphouse) May 8, 2022
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