Onedin Line star and regular Carry On actor Peter Gilmore has passed away aged 81.

Although he was best known for his portrayal of the rugged, steadfast Captain James Onedin in Cyril Abraham’s The Onedin Line, Gilmore was introduced to a whole new generation of viewers when he took on the role of Brazen, the security chief of the human colony Frontios in the 1984 serial of the same name – where in keeping with his heroic persona, he sacrificed himself in order for the Doctor escape.

Born in Leipzig, Germany Gilmore came to the UK at the age of six. Aged 14, he quit school to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. After being expelled from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, a brief stint in the Army led to the discovery of talent for singing; which lead to him joining The George Mitchell Singers after being discharged.

Although he continued to actor in stage plays and musicals (most notably Hooray for Daisy! where he was the chief human in a drama about a pantomime cow) the success he craved eluded him; leading him to finally giving up singing (although after the success of The Onedin Line, he briefly revived his singing career, releasing two albums) in order to concentrate on acting.

His career began to take off.

His success at this time in British and US TV commercials led him to be cast in comedies, with 11 appearances in Carry On films. But it was with The Onedin Line in 1971 finally brought him the fame that had eluded him.

He married three times: to Worzel Gummidge and Sherlock actress Una Stubbs (1958–1969); to Jan Waters (1970–1976); and to actress, and former Onedin Line colleague, Anne Stallybrass (1987–2013).

Gilmore died in London on 3 February 2013, survived by his wife and a son, Jason, from his first marriage

(via The Guardian)

Andrew Reynolds