Dudley Sutton obit

Lovejoy star Dudley Sutton dies of cancer aged 85

 

He was not on the list.

Actor Dudley Sutton, who was known for playing Tinker Dill in the TV series Lovejoy, has died aged 85.

A statement from Sutton’s agent said he died peacefully on Saturday at the Royal Trinity Hospice in London surrounded by his family, after being diagnosed with cancer.

A message from the film and TV star’s family said: “Today we’re devastated by the loss of our beautiful Dudley, who leaves a gaping hole in all our lives.

“We’re grateful for the love expressed by friends and fans everywhere and for the extraordinary care he received at the Royal Trinity Hospice in Clapham, south London, where he went out fighting for our NHS.”

Sutton starred opposite Ian McShane in the BBC comedy-drama mystery series throughout its 70-episode run from 1986 to 1994.

Sutton’s character was a tout who was friends with the titular roguish antique dealer played by McShane.

Chris Jury, who played Eric Catchpole in the show, led tributes on social media.

Jury wrote: “My dear, dear pal Dudley Sutton died today. I loved him dearly. Condolences to Fanny, Peter, Barnaby, Wally and Jacqueline and all the rest of his family… Love you Duds.”

Sutton’s other TV appearances included a special Christmas episode of BBC sitcom Porridge, in which he played hostage taker Reg Urwin opposite Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale.

He also starred in an instalment of ITV crime drama The Sweeney.

In his later career he had a recurring role as conman Wilfred Atkins in BBC soap EastEnders, as well as smaller parts in Holby City and Channel 4 teenage drama Skins.

Sutton was born in Surrey on April 6 1933. He served in the Royal Air Force as a mechanic before enrolling in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, from which he was later expelled.

He joined theatre director Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop group and appeared in numerous plays that portrayed working class life during the 1950s and 1960s.

Sutton’s breakout screen role came in the 1964 film The Leather Boys, in which he played a gay biker.

Farewell Dudley Sutton. One of our greats and a charming man. Another one of Joan Littlewood’s brood of amazing actors leaves us. — Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) September 15, 2018

He later appeared in films such as The Devils (1971), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) and The Football Factory (2004).

In November 2017 Sutton starred in a music video for Keane singer Tom Chaplin’s solo single Midnight Mass.

Chaplin wrote on Twitter: “Sad to hear about Dudley Sutton dying. He played a wonderful lead role in the video for my song Midnight Mass.

“Off-camera he was full of steadfast beliefs, warmth and fun! And, of course, he played Tinker in my favourite TV show of all time.”

Sad to hear about Dudley Sutton dying. He played a wonderful lead role in the video for my song Midnight Mass. Off-camera he was full of steadfast beliefs, warmth and fun! And, of course, he played Tinker in my favourite TV show of all time. 

— Tom Chaplin (@tomchaplin) September 15, 2018

Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack appeared in 2011 comedy film Outside Bet alongside Sutton. She shared a photo on Instagram of herself and Sutton on the film’s set with the late actor Bob Hoskins.

She wrote: “So sad to hear Dudley Sutton has passed. Such a hilarious, warm, talented man who I’m so honoured to have worked with. Sending love to his family who he spoke of always.”

Spandau Ballet musician and actor Gary Kemp added: “Farewell Dudley Sutton. One of our greats and a charming man. Another one of Joan Littlewood’s brood of amazing actors leaves us.”

 

Filmography

 

A Night to Remember (1958) – lookout (uncredited)

Go to Blazes (1962) – boy lover

The Boys (1962) – Stan Coulter

The Leather Boys (1964) – Pete

The Human Jungle (1964, TV Series) - Leigh Garner

The Saint (1964, S3E4: "The Scorpion") – Eddy

Rotten to the Core (1965) – Jelly

Crossplot (1969) – Warren

The Walking Stick (1970) – Ted Sandymount

One More Time (1970) – Wilson

A Town Called Bastard (1971) – Spectre

The Devils (1971) – Baron De Laubardemont

Family Life (1971) – Ambulance man (uncredited)

Mr. Forbush and the Penguins (1971) – Starshot

Madame Sin (1972) – Monk

Diamonds on Wheels (1973, TV Movie) – Finch

Paganini Strikes Again (1973) – Raddings

The Stud (1974, by Wilbur Stark) – Randy Warpshot / Longstreet / Charlady / Yidnar Warpshot / Newsboy

The Sweeney (1975) – Golden Boy / Max Deller

Pure as a Lily (1976) – Jack

Fellini's Casanova (1976) – Duke of Wuertemberg

The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) – Hugh McClaren

The Glitterball (1977) - (uncredited)

The Prince and the Pauper (1977) – Hodge

Valentino (1977) – Willie

No. 1 of the Secret Service (1977) – K.R.A.S.H. Leader

The Big Sleep (1978) – Lanny

The Playbirds (1978) – Hern

The London Connection (1979) – Goetz

The Island (1980) – Dr. Brazil

George and Mildred (1980) – Jacko

Brimstone and Treacle (1982) – Stroller

Widows (1983, TV Mini-Series) - Boxer Davis

Those Glory Glory Days (1983, TV Movie) – Arthur – Journalist

Lamb (1985) – Haddock

A State of Emergency (1986) – Soviet professor

The Rainbow (1989) – MacAllister

Edward II (1991) – Bishop of Winchester

Orlando (1992) – King James I

Incognito (1998) – Halifax / Offul

The Tichborne Claimant (1998) – Onslow Onslow

Up at the Villa (2000) – Harold Atkinson

David Copperfield (2000, TV Movie) - Mr Dick

This Filthy Earth (2001) – Papa

Tomorrow La Scala! (2002) – Dennis

Song for a Raggy Boy (2003) – Brother Tom

The Football Factory (2004) – Bill Farrell

Irish Jam (2006) – Pat Duffy

Dean Spanley (2008) – Marriot

Sezon tumanov (2009) – Darby

Albion Rising (2009) – William Blake

Skins (2010, TV Series) – Norman McClair

The Shouting Men (2010) – Charlie

Weekend Retreat (2011) – Paulie

Billy the Kid (2011) – Billy

Outside Bet (2011) – Alfie Hobnails

Cockneys vs Zombies (2012) – Eric

Katherine of Alexandria (2014) – Marcellus

Tin (2015) – Zachariah Bennett

When the Devil Rides Out (2017) – George

Steven Berkoff's Tell Tale Heart (2019) – Old Man