Howard's Way and Chariots of Fire actor Nigel Davenport dies aged 85

ACTOR Nigel Davenport, who starred in Howard’s Way, Chariots of Fire and a host of other British films and TV dramas, has died at the age of 85.

CHARMING Nigel Davenport became one of Britain s most well known faces in TV drama Howard s Way CHARMING: Nigel Davenport became one of Britain's most well known faces in TV drama Howard's Way [BBC]

The star, described by friends as “warm, charming and witty” was also father to Jack Davenport who is currently appearing in ITV series Breathless.

Well known for his role in Oscar-winning movie Chariots Of Fire in which he portrayed Lord Birkenhead, for many TV viewers in the late Eighties he will be best remembered for his performance as tycoon Sir Edward Frere in BBC1's Howard's Way, the popular Sunday night drama set in the wealthy yachting set.

Oxford-educated Davenport began his career as a stage actor, but in the late Fifties and Sixties he was increasingly clocking up film roles, including the dark cult movie Peeping Tom, and made a breakthrough with his performance in A Man For All Seasons in 1966.

 nigel davenport, jack davenport, chariots of fire, sinful davey, breathless, howard's way, bbc drama, john hustonFILM: Davenport starred in Chariots of Fire and John Huston's 1969 comedy Sinful Davey [WENN]

Other films included The Virgin Soldiers and its sequel as well as Mary, Queen Of Scots and adaptations of The Picture Of Dorian Gray and Bram Stoker's Dracula. Davenport, who died on Friday, also had guest roles in programmes such as Minder, Keeping Up Appearances and Midsomer Murders, and continued his stage work alongside his film and TV success.

He was married and divorced twice, his second to Maria Aitken, the actress and director who is mother to Jack. He had two children from his first marriage to Helena White - Hugo, a writer, and Laura, an actress.

He was also president of actor's union Equity for six years.

His voice, the envy of many an aspiring actor, was a joy to listen to

Nigel Davenport's agent, Nicholas Young

His agent Nicholas Young said: "It was a privilege, a pleasure and an honour to have represented Nigel. Not only was he an excellent actor but he was also a charming, warm and witty man.

"His performances over the years were powerful and moving. His voice, the envy of many an aspiring actor, was a joy to listen to.

 nigel davenport, jack davenport, chariots of fire, sinful davey, breathless, howard's way, bbc drama, john hustonFAMILY: Nigel's son Jack Davenport is the star of ITV's Breathless playing Otto Powell [ITV]

"He served the interests of his fellow actors by his unstinting support for the actors' union Equity of which he was president for many years. Never afraid to give his opinion, he lived life to the full and enjoyed his retirement.

"Immensely popular on both a personal and professional level, he will be sadly missed."

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