Tony Adams obit

Tony Adams death: Tributes paid to ‘absolute joy’ Crossroads actor after death aged 84

Adams played accountant Adam Chance in the soap for 10 years.

 

He was not on the list.

Tributes have been paid to Crossroads actor Tony Adams, who has died at the age of 84.

Anthony Sawley Adams was born in Anglesey, Wales, in 1940 and later trained as an actor at the Italia Conti theatre school.

Following performances on the stage, he made his name as Dr Neville Bywaters in the 1970s soap General Hospital and appeared in the Dr Who series The Green Death.

In 1978, he took on the role of accountant Adam Chance in soap Crossroads – the role for which he became best known.

The series ended in 1988 after more than 4,500 episodes, with Adams staying until the end.

He was one of the original cast members, including Jane Rossington and Kathy Staff, who returned when the soap was revived in 2001.

Adams then appeared in the stage version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium Theatre, where he played Grandpa Potts, in 2004.

In 2023, he had a cameo role in Nolly – a three-part drama created by Russell T Davies which tells the story of Crossroads actress Noele Gordon.

Actor Augustus Prew, who played Adams in the drama, described him as a “magical man” during interviews at the time.

Adams died at Sussex County Hospital in Brighton on Saturday, with his wife Christine by his side.

Michael Rose, of The Michael Rose Organisation Ltd, paid tribute to Adams as an “absolute joy” and a talented actor, dancer and singer.

“He was one of the warmest gentlemen you could wish to work with,” Mr Rose said.

“He was an absolute joy. He was a dancer originally but there was nothing Tony couldn’t do.

“He was a very accomplished actor, he was a really good dancer and singer.

“He played Grandpa Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and was a joy to have in the company, as he was in every company.

“We shall miss him.”

Filmography

Film

Year     Film     Role     Notes

1951    The Magic Box           Boy     Uncredited

1953    The Enchanted Garret Bill Banks       TV film

1955    Reluctant Bride                      

Touch and Go Teenager          Uncredited

1964    Kiss Me Kate              TV film

1971    A Lizard in a Woman's Skin   Policeman        Uncredited

Villain  Man     Uncredited

1975    The Godmothers         Vito    

1977    The Quality Connections        Nigel   Short film

1980    Hardly Working          Eddie the Clown        

1986    Superfantagenio          Monty Siracusa          

Television

Year     Title     Role     Notes

1966    Crossroads       Mr. Perkins      2 episodes

1972    The Two Ronnies        Brutus  Episode: Series 2, Episode 5

Crown Court   Brian Parker    Episode: Conspiracy: Part Three

1972-79           General Hospital         Dr. Neville Bywaters  Series regular; 304 episodes

1973    Doctor Who    Elgin    Episodes: The Green Death

Play of the Week         Prince Damian Episode: Queen of Hearts

1978-2002       Crossroads       Adam Chance Series regular; 260 episodes

1986    Hale and Pace Prince Charming         Episode: Christmas Extravaganza

1989    Bergerac          M.C.    Episode: Tangos in the Night

1992    The Upper Hand         Donald Crenshaw       Episode: You Shall Go to the Ball

2001    The Grimleys  Doctor Episode: The Big Sleep

2003    The Afternoon Play     Agency Supremo        Episode: Turkish Delight

2006    Doctors            Edgar Price      Episode: Ghost in the Machine