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Dennis Waterman: Minder and New Tricks star dies aged 74

Published 16:56 8 May 2022 BST

April Curtin
Dennis Waterman: Minder and New Tricks star dies aged 74

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He died with his wife by his side

Dennis Waterman has died at the age of 74, his family have confirmed. The actor was known for his roles in TV shows Minder, The Sweeney and New Tricks. Waterman died on Sunday afternoon with wife Pam by his side, his family said in a statement. https://twitter.com/sothcott/status/1523320554148794368

They said: "We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis passed away very peacefully at his home in Spain."

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

https://twitter.com/Kris_LondonUK/status/1523320590106517504

Waterman rose to fame as a teenager, when he starred in the BBC drama William. He became one of Britain's best-known faces on TV in the 1970s - playing Detective Sergeant George Carter in ITV's police drama The Sweeney.

The actor became even more successful starring in Minder between 1979 to 1989. He played Terry McCann - the bodyguard and partner of George Cole's wheeler dealer, Arthur Daley.

https://twitter.com/M_Davis2020/status/1523321928445952000

Waterman also starred in comedies including On the Up and Stay Lucky. In the noughties, he ventured back to New Tricks, where he played another Cockney detective for twelve years up to 2015.

Tributes have already started pouring in for the late actor. https://twitter.com/RealMattLucas/status/1523320269737136128 Posting on Twitter, Matt Lucas said: "I grew up watching Dennis Waterman's iconic performances in The Sweeney and Minder. His guest appearance in our Little Britain Live show at Hammersmith Apollo - in which he hilariously duetted with David's absurd impersonation of him - remains the absolute highlight of my career." https://twitter.com/garytaphouse/status/1523321545694793729 Related stories:

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Dennis Waterman: Minder and New Tricks star dies aged 74