The son of a colonial official, he was brought up in Yorkshire, where, despite having no theatrical training, he joined the Hull Repertory company, and after a relatively short time, he was, for the only time in his career, given a juvenile lead, only to be taken off after just two nights, as he had to kiss a girl, and she complained, citing an inability to cope with his mature demeanor.
He was never really young, and after his demobilization at the end of World War II, in which he served as a military administrator to an African outpost, as the oldest 2nd lieutenant in the army, he returned to the stage and television, establishing himself in a succession of stage and television successes, which ultimately led to his most iconic role as Inspector Rose, an upper-crust detective, from 1963 to 1968.
During his time on the BBC, he overlapped in the series All Gas and Gaiters, and went on to star in other notable series, including a three-year stint as the Judge in Crown Court, as well as appearing in various films, such as The Ruling Class and The Railway Children.
Sadly, he passed away on August 6, 1976, leaving behind his wife, Anne, and their three sons, Michael, Richard, and Nicholas.
