REVEALED in his own words, TV legend Dennis Waterman had a wild life of boozing prior to his death.
Dennis revealed that when his daughter, Hannah, was just 14 he gave her some worldly advice and recalled: “I was worried I wasn’t much of a role model.
“I said, ‘You’ve seen how I live — the drinking, the smoking and the various other things I get up to.
“Well, you don’t have to be the same. In fact, it might be a very good idea not to drink as much as I do, to smoke as much as I do — to do anything I do, as much as I do!”
The actor also spoke openly about how he was previously accused of trivialising domestic violence.
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.”
The celebrated actor, who has starred in Minder, New Tricks and The Sweeney, died in Spain with his wife by his side.
Read our Dennis Waterman live blog below for the latest news & updates…
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Dennis secretly dated Dudley Moore’s girlfriend
AT 19 Dennis secretly dated Dudley Moore’s girlfriend, actress Suzy Kendall — his co-star in 1968 film Up The Junction.
He said: “We met up everywhere, sometimes risking meeting in the flat she shared with Dudley.
“One afternoon I had the effrontery to be playing Dudley’s piano when he walked in. I don’t think he suspected anything.
“He was the hottest thing in London — why should he fear a callow 19-year-old working with his bird?”
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EastEnders star Hannah Waterman pays heartbreaking tribute
EASTENDERS star Hannah Waterman has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late dad Dennis as she shared an adorable photo.
The celebrated TV star, best-known for iconic roles in Minder, The Sweeney, New Tricks and Minder, died, aged 74, at his Spanish home with his wife by his side.
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“I was a big surprise”
DENNIS’S mum Rose made curtains for a living, while Harry was an upholsterer who became a ticket collector at Clapham Junction station.
The youngest of nine, Dennis said: “I was a big surprise.
“I was spoiled rotten. I was golden b*****ks.
“I remember looking at other people’s mothers, thinking, ‘She’s tasty’ as they were 30 years younger than mine.”
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Family statement
Following the news of Dennis Waterman’s passing, a family statement said yesterday: “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.
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Tributes for Dennis, continued
Producer Jonathan Sothcott tweeted: “Dennis Waterman 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.”
Actor Stuart Anthony said: “Dennis Waterman has left us. What a fantastic talent and lovely man. Such a loss to the industry. RIP.”
Newsreader Kay Burley posted: “A brilliant actor who was a staple on our screens throughout the 70s and 80s. Loved The Sweeney. Loved Minder more.”
DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles also today reminisced about a charity golf trip he took alongside Waterman.
Knowles tweeted: “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.'”
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Tributes to Dennis
Vicki Michelle, who appeared in an episode of Minder along with Waterman, wrote: “So sad to hear Dennis Waterman has passed. Great memory of doing Minder with him Fab actor gone too soon RIP.”
Broadcaster Piers Morgan also took to Twitter to pay tribute.
“RIP Dennis Waterman, 74. Star of Minder, New Tricks and for me, his finest role – as Detective George Carter in The Sweeney opposite the late, great John Thaw,” Morgan wrote.
“Superb actor and a great character. Sad news.'”
-
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.
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When Dennis Waterman moved 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 died on May 8, 2022, aged 74 in Spain with his wife Pam by this side.
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‘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.
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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.”
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Explained: What was Dennis Waterman’s illness?
Dennis Waterman was a celebrated actor, best known for playing tough guys in TV favourites The Sweeney, New Tricks and Minder.
Dennis was born in South London as the youngest of nine children.
He studied at the Corona Theatre School, before starring in some of Britain’s best-loved dramas.
He found fame as hardman police officer George Carter in The Sweeney, and was also well known for his appearances as Gerry Standing in New Tricks and Terry McCann in Minder.
On May 8, 2022, the 74-year-old, whose career spanned seven decades, died in his home in Spain, with his wife Pam Flint by his side.
His family said in statement: “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.”
It is not known if Dennis was ill leading up to his death, with the cause remaining unknown.
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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.
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Where did Dennis Waterman live?
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.
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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.
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Thank you for reading my coverage this evening. My colleague, Louis Allwood will be back with you tomorrow morning.
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When Dennis Waterman moved 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 died on May 8, 2022, aged 74 in Spain with his wife Pam by this side.
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Explained: Who is David’s daughter 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)
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Tributes for Dennis, continued
Producer Jonathan Sothcott tweeted: “Dennis Waterman 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.”
Actor Stuart Anthony said: “Dennis Waterman has left us. What a fantastic talent and lovely man. Such a loss to the industry. RIP.”
Newsreader Kay Burley posted: “A brilliant actor who was a staple on our screens throughout the 70s and 80s. Loved The Sweeney. Loved Minder more.”
DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles also today reminisced about a charity golf trip he took alongside Waterman.
Knowles tweeted: “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.'”
-
More tributes
Vicki Michelle, who appeared in an episode of Minder along with Waterman, wrote: “So sad to hear Dennis Waterman has passed. Great memory of doing Minder with him Fab actor gone too soon RIP.”
Broadcaster Piers Morgan also took to Twitter to pay tribute.
“RIP Dennis Waterman, 74. Star of Minder, New Tricks and for me, his finest role – as Detective George Carter in The Sweeney opposite the late, great John Thaw,” Morgan wrote.
“Superb actor and a great character. Sad news.'”
-
Family statement
Following the news of Dennis Waterman’s passing, a family statement said today: “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.
-
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.
-
‘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.
-
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.”
-
Tributes continue to pour in
Following his death, tributes poured in for the actor.
Paddy McGuinness said he had always wanted to be Dennis’ Minder character.
In a tweet, he 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.”
Sky News presenter Kay Burley said: “RIP Dennis Waterman. A brilliant actor who was a staple on our screens throughout the 70s and 80s. Loved The Sweeney. Loved Minder more.”
Larry Lamb wrote: “Here’s to dear Dennis Waterman .. RIP mate .. my condolences to your family .”
DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles also paid tribute to the veteran actor:
Knowles tweeted: “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.”
-
Explained: What was Dennis Waterman’s illness?
Dennis Waterman was a celebrated actor, best known for playing tough guys in TV favourites The Sweeney, New Tricks and Minder.
Dennis was born in South London as the youngest of nine children.
He studied at the Corona Theatre School, before starring in some of Britain’s best-loved dramas.
He found fame as hardman police officer George Carter in The Sweeney, and was also well known for his appearances as Gerry Standing in New Tricks and Terry McCann in Minder.
On May 8, 2022, the 74-year-old, whose career spanned seven decades, died in his home in Spain, with his wife Pam Flint by his side.
His family said in statement: “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.”
It is not known if Dennis was ill leading up to his death, with the cause remaining unknown.