The Bill’s ‘gentle soul’ Tony Scannell dies

Born in Cork in 1945, Tony Scannell served for five years on guard duty in the RAF before turning his hand to acting.

His breakthrough came in the film Flash Gordon, in 1980, in which he played an officer of the great Emperor Ming the Merciless.

In later interviews Scannell, who has died aged 74, said even standing next to Swedish actor Max Von Sydow, who played the evil ruler, “scared the pants” off him.

An audition for ITV’s The Bill followed and Scannell made his debut in an episode called “A Friend in Need” in 1984. He was initially signed on to act in just two episodes, but his portrayal of DS Ted Roach was such a success that producers decided to extend his tenure.

Scannell continued to play the role – forming part of one of the show’s most iconic teams alongside Chris Ellison’s DCI Frank Burnside and Kevin Lloyd’s DC Tosh Lines – until 1993.

However, Scannell was declared bankrupt in 2002, owing the Inland Revenue over £42,000.

The actor, who also starred in Evil Never Dies and the Walking Dead, admitted he “wanted to enjoy life” and “rather forgot about paying later”.

Scannell died on May 27, with his cause of death unclear.

Actor Katy Manning, who played companion Jo Grant in Doctor Who, wrote on Twitter: “Tony Scannell, best known for his superb portrayal of Ted Roach in The Bill, has gone on his awfully big adventure.

“He was a gentle soul who I was lucky to work with on a film a few years ago. My heart goes out to his much-loved family.”

Scannell is survived by his partner, Agnes Lillis, and three adult children.

Tony Scannell, best known for playing DS Ted Roach in The Bill, has died aged 74