Derek Deadman

Derek Deadman (11 March 1940 – 22 November 2014) was an English character actor who appeared in numerous British films and television series for 38 years.

Born 11 March 1940 in Fulham, London, Derek Deadman was one of the three sons of George and Edith Deadman. Derek had a son, Jake and two grandsons, Luke and Ari.

Deadman appeared on television in minor roles before being cast in a more significant part as Rankin in two episodes of the RAF sitcom Get Some In! in 1975 and 1978. He then played Ringo in 39 of the 66 episodes of the series Never the Twain between 1981 and 1991. He also played the ruthless Sontaran Commander Stor in the Doctor Who serial The Invasion of Time. Also appeared in "The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin" - Series 2 Episode 1 - as the "heavy breather" waiting outside the phone box which Reggie's daughter was calling her mother from.

His many film appearances include roles in The Canterbury Tales (1972), Queen Kong (1976), Jabberwocky (1977), The Glitterball (1977), The Big Sleep (1978), the film version of Porridge (1979), A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (1979), The Apple (1980), Time Bandits (1981), Never Say Never Again (1983), Bullshot (1983), Brazil (1985), National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), and the barman of The Leaky Cauldron, Tom, in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001).

Deadman died of complications from diabetes in Frespech, France, where he moved to upon his retirement, in 2014, aged 74.