Tributes paid to actor Tom
TRIBUTES have been paid to actor Tom Charnock, who has died from a Covid-related illness.
Mr Charnock was born in a miner’s cottage in Atherton, near Leigh, and still lived in the town.
During his 62 years he packed in a hell of a lot - apprentice jockey, soldier, service with the RAF, an ambulance driver for Bolton General and Salford Royal Hospitals - and finally, actor.
Tributes to him were led by filmmaker, Ken Loach, for whom he delivered a stunning performance in the awardwinning film, The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
Ken Loach said: “I was so sorry to hear the sad news of Tom. It is dreadful that he has been lost at such a young age.
“I remember him as a very friendly man, easy to work with and full of enthusiasm for what we were doing.”
Other gritty characters Tom played on television, included a Victorian overseer in North and South (2004) and a cameo as the 1970s copper John Simm awakens to in the first episode of the Manchester-based Life on Mars (2005).
Tom married Mandy Hughes in 1980 and appeared as himself in several documentaries about his twin sons, who have white and mixed race skin tones. He was divorced from Mandy, who died in 2017. He died at Bolton General Hospital after a short illness.
Tom leaves a brother Len, and a sister Liz, as well as children Wesley, Thomas and Amanda. A fourth child asked not to be named. He also had seven grandchildren - including Teddy, 10; George, seven; Arthur, 10; Isla, 10.
Tom’s funeral will be at Howe Bridge Crematorium, on Friday, at 12pm.