Tributes to Bill star Tony
THE BILL’S NICE GUY TONY DIES
When Tony retired Ted I was gutted
THE Bill star Tony Scannell, who played DS Ted Roach, has died aged 74. The actor portrayed the popular detective in the police drama for nine years during the 1980s and 90s.
He also starred in Flash Gordon, Evil Never Dies and Waking The Dead.
Last night actress Katy Manning, who played Jo Grant in Dr Who, led tributes. She tweeted: “Another wonderful actor Tony Scannell best known for his superb portrayal of
Ted Roach in #Thebill has gone on his awfully big adventure.”
The Bill Fans Twitter page wrote: “RIP Tony Scannell. You were fantastic as Ted Roach. Very sad news.”
One fan wrote on Facebook: “Damn, damn, damn! I’ve just learned of the passing of a wonderful actor and dear colleague. Any [Bill] episode that had him in it would have me fixated on TV. When Tony retired Ted in 1993 I was gutted.”
The Irish telly star leaves behind his actress partner Agnes Lillis and three children.
He also appeared in drama The Things We Do For Love about Elsie Tanner actress Pat Phoenix, played by Sue Johnston. Tony, whose dad Tom played in goal for the Republic of Ireland, fell into acting to get out of RAF guard duty. He decided to get training when he left the force. He was also a talented musician who played the keyboard for a Kajagoogoo tribute act.
In an interview several years ago, he said: “I was cast in my first professional roles, including both Churchill and Max Miller in Happy As A Sandbag.
“I landed a role in Flash Gordon, where I was an officer to the great Max von Sydow who played Emperor Ming. “Then I got an audition for The Bill and played Ted. He looked after himself, old people and the very young. That’s how I played him.”