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08th May 2022

Dennis Waterman: Minder and New Tricks star dies aged 74

April Curtin

English actor and singer Dennis Waterman, made famous for his role in the television series 'Minder'. Original Publication: People Disc - HM0043 (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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Topics:

Acting,BBC,Drama,ITV