TRIBUTES TO ‘TV GREAT’ ANGELIS
Death of actor who also voiced Thomas
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TRIBUTES poured in yesterday for Michael Angelis – the voice of Thomas The Tank Engine – after he died aged 76.
Little Britain star Matt Lucas tweeted: “Michael Angelis was one of the greatest TV actors I’ve ever seen. His work with Alan Bleasdale was tremendous. What a loss.”
Game Of Thrones actor John Bradley tweeted: “To be in both ‘Boys From The Blackstuff’ and ‘G.B.H.’ is really leaving your mark on telly. He was superb in both.”
The telly star also found fame in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and lent his voice to Thomas
The Tank Engine after taking over from Beatles drummer Ringo Starr in 1991.
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The Liverpool-born actor passed away suddenly at home with his wife on Saturday, his agent said.
Michael starred alongside Bernard Hill and Julie Walters in Bafta-winning 1980s series Boys From The Blackstuff about jobless people. He also had roles in Minder, The Liver Birds, Z Cars and Good Cop.
Michael later made appearances in Casualty, The Bill, Holby City, A Touch Of Frost and Heartbeat.
The telly icon was married to Coronation Street actress Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, and later wed Jennifer Khalastchi.
Comedy writer Simon Blackwell tweeted: “Sad to hear that the great has died.
“Exquisite and moving in Boys From The Blackstuff, enormously funny as Lucien in The Liver Birds.”
Fan Isaac Whittakerdakin said: “RIP Michael Angelis. From 1991-2012 he was the voice of Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends.
“Listening to his voice on countless video tapes was a huge part of my childhood.”
Michael
Angelis