Actor. Born in Newquay, Cornwall, UK, he began his career as a boy soprano, playing in Boy Scout gang shows. At twelve he appeared in West End musicals such as "The King and I", "Plain and Fancy" and "Damn Yankees". His singing career, however, ended with his change of voice. After school, he performed in repertory theater at Harrogate. He debuted on television in the series "Family Solicitor" which was followed by an appearance in "Armchair Theatre" in 1958. He was offered the role of Able Seaman Ben Jackson in the cult television series, "Doctor Who", in April 1966, he first appeared in Episode 1 of "The War Machines" arc with William Hartnell as The Doctor, and remained through the transition to a new Doctor, Patrick Troughton, in The Power of the Daleks. Contrary to original planning, the character was abruptly written out of the series in February 1967 in the second episode of "The Faceless Ones" arc. He continued to work in British television, with roles in "Dixon of Dock Green", "Gideon's Way", "Journey to the Unknown" and twenty-one episodes of the soap opera "Crossroads". In 1973 he appeared with a fellow former "Doctor Who" companion for the Doctor Who Tenth Anniversary Radio Times special. He went into semi retirement in 1974, and ran a pub in Shepperton. He continued to take on occasional acting roles, and became a popular figure on the "Doctor Who" convention circuit. In 1994, he appeared in the BBC television play "The Healer" and a new movie adaptation "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein". In November 1998, he made convention appearance, a 35th Anniversary event in London. Some three weeks later he collapsed at his home and died later in hospital at age 56.
Actor. Born in Newquay, Cornwall, UK, he began his career as a boy soprano, playing in Boy Scout gang shows. At twelve he appeared in West End musicals such as "The King and I", "Plain and Fancy" and "Damn Yankees". His singing career, however, ended with his change of voice. After school, he performed in repertory theater at Harrogate. He debuted on television in the series "Family Solicitor" which was followed by an appearance in "Armchair Theatre" in 1958. He was offered the role of Able Seaman Ben Jackson in the cult television series, "Doctor Who", in April 1966, he first appeared in Episode 1 of "The War Machines" arc with William Hartnell as The Doctor, and remained through the transition to a new Doctor, Patrick Troughton, in The Power of the Daleks. Contrary to original planning, the character was abruptly written out of the series in February 1967 in the second episode of "The Faceless Ones" arc. He continued to work in British television, with roles in "Dixon of Dock Green", "Gideon's Way", "Journey to the Unknown" and twenty-one episodes of the soap opera "Crossroads". In 1973 he appeared with a fellow former "Doctor Who" companion for the Doctor Who Tenth Anniversary Radio Times special. He went into semi retirement in 1974, and ran a pub in Shepperton. He continued to take on occasional acting roles, and became a popular figure on the "Doctor Who" convention circuit. In 1994, he appeared in the BBC television play "The Healer" and a new movie adaptation "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein". In November 1998, he made convention appearance, a 35th Anniversary event in London. Some three weeks later he collapsed at his home and died later in hospital at age 56.
Bio by: Iola
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