Sunday 29 January 2012

The Bill star dies - Tributes paid to Colin Tarrant


A Star of hit cop show "The Bill" has died after being found injured at home. Colin Tarrant, 59, played Inspector Andrew Monroe in the long-running show and was popular with fans. It was reported last night Mr Tarrant had died in a suspected suicide after being discovered with knife wounds. He had been seen performing in a number of stage shows after the police drama was axed after 2,400 episodes in 2010.
Last night actors off the show united in paying their respects to Mr Tarrant and his grief-stricken family. Writing on Twitter, Jeff Stewart - the show's PC Reg Hollis, said: "Shocked by sudden news of Colin Tarrant's death. "A lovely man who was a greatly admired colleague. RIP." And Andrew Lancel, who played DI Neil Manson, said: "Very sad to hear about Colin Tarrant. A huge part of The Bill. "We never worked together but Inspector Monroe was iconic to bill fans. RIP." Their thoughts were echoed by West End theatre producer David Pugh. He added: "Colin was a lovely man, he loved the theatre, his politics and his family. "Our hearts must go out to his son Juma, his partner Sabrina and their baby son Louis."

Radio Times Presents the Third Doctor Who! (1970)


I really can not believe that it is now forty two years, but way back in January 1970 the BBC, or rather the Radio Times introduced the late, great Jon Pertwee to the world as the third incarnation of Doctor Who in the story, Spearhead from Space. Jon Pertwee turned out to be the best of all the great Doctor's incarnations. Inside there was a short introduction to the new TV season and highlights Jon Pertwee's arrival, while his inaugural episode is treated to a photograph on the listings page.
An introduction to the new TV season, from the Radio Times 3 - 9 January, 1970
The listings page for 'Spearhead from Space, from the Radio Times, the 3rd of January, 1970