‘FAREWELL, MY TRUE LOVE’
BRITAIN’S ICONIC TV TOUGH GUY PASSES AWAY WITH HIS DEVOTED WIFE BY HIS SIDE
He made his name playing tough-talking, streetwise cops or criminals in a succession of prime-time British dramas that found fans around the globe. But to his fourth wife, Pam Flint, Dennis Waterman was a much more gentle soul. “All I ever see in his eyes is total love,” Pam said in 2006, as Dennis supported her while she battled bladder cancer. In 2015 the pair decided to move to Spain where they spent their time “lolling in the sun”, playing golf and living the good life. Those carefree days took on extra special meaning on May 8, when Dennis passed away peacefully in a Spanish hospital at the age of 74, his devoted wife by his side.
Dennis’ acting career spanned more than six decades, starting with childhood roles in film and theatre. He became a huge star in the ’70s thanks to playing DS George Carter in The Sweeney.
Dennis, who also fancied himself as a singer, became an unlikely sex symbol playing the naive ex-con with a heart of gold, Terry Mccann, in popular series Minder. He also lent his vocals to the hit show’s theme song, ‘I Could Be So good for You’, which became a top 10 hit in Australia.
In the 2000s, he starred opposite friend Amanda Redman in New Tricks, a show featuring a cold-case police unit staffed by a ragtag bunch of police veterans
Last week Amanda said in a statement via her daughter: “[My] grief is too personal and private [to discuss].”
Married four times, and much loved, Dennis is survived by his two adult daughters, Hannah and Julia.