Sweeney, Minder and New Tricks star Waterman dies aged 74

Actor Dennis Waterman – who starred in TV shows Minder, The Sweeney and New Tricks – has died at the age of 74.

Waterman starred as bodyguard Terry McCann in Minder and he first found fame as tough nut cop George Carter in The Sweeney opposite John Thaw.

A statement from his family said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis, passed away very peacefully in hospital in Spain, on Sunday afternoon, with Pam by his side.

“The family kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

Waterman became a household name after playing the role of DS George Carter in crime series The Sweeney, in which he co-starred with John Thaw. The worldwide popularity led to two film box-office smashes, Sweeney I and Sweeney II.

He later reflected fondly on his time in the show, stating in his Life And Times documentary: “We knew we were doing something really quite special and very different from British television.

“There was no worry then, which I think was a help. There was no great panic about whether it was going to be a success in the ratings.

“We just knew we had very good scripts, we had great directors, and we thought we weren’t that shabby. John (Thaw) and I were great mates and, it sounds horrible, but it was just a joy to go to work every day.”

Minder brought the criminal underworld of west London to millions of homes up and down the country.

His Sweeney success was later topped with critically acclaimed television series Minder, where Waterman played bodyguard, or “minder”, Terry McCann for 10 years from 1979. He demonstrated his vocal talents by singing the theme song, I Could Be So Good for You, which peaked at number three in the UK charts in 1980.

Waterman played Gerry Standing in the BBC’s New Tricks from 2003 to 2014, and throughout his career other TV roles included ITV’s Where The Heart Is, The Canterbury Tales and Moses Jones, both for the BBC.

He became well-known for singing the theme songs to many of his shows, and was caricatured by David Walliams in Little Britain as a result.

Sweeney actor Dennis Waterman married Pam Flint in 2011.