Tony Haygarth

George Anthony David Haygarth (4 February 1945 – 10 March 2017) was an English television, film and theatre actor.
Life and career.
After leaving Marlborough College, Liverpool, Haygarth worked unsuccessfully in 1963 as a lifeguard in Torquay, and also tried escapology, equally unsuccessfully. Other jobs included psychiatric nursing and he was an amateur actor before turning professional and appearing in repertory theatre, followed by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.
Haygarth played a milkman in "Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads" and made his film debut in the comedy film "Percy" (1971), from then on playing many roles in police and historical dramas, as well as situation comedies. He was normally cast as a solid, reliable character with a down-to-earth attitude. From 1977 to 1981 he played PC Wilmot in Roy Clarke's series "Rosie". He played Milo Renfield in "Dracula" (1979) opposite Frank Langella, Donald Pleasence and Laurence Olivier.
Haygarth played the title role in "Kinvig" (1981), a science-fiction comedy series produced by London Weekend Television, "Boys from the Blackstuff" (1982) as a docker, "Shoestring", series 1 episode 1, the swindling but loveable Sanchez in "Farrington of the F.O." (1986–87) and in 2005 appeared in the television adaptation of "Under the Greenwood Tree". He also played leading character Vic Snow in the ITV series "Where the Heart Is" from 1997 to 2002.
Haygarth's work in theatre included "The Tempest" and "Twelve Angry Men" in 1996, for both of which he was nominated for Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role; he was also the author of several plays. He won the Clarence Derwent Award for "Simpatico" (1995). His first play, "The Lie", dealt with the death of Shakespeare's rival Christopher Marlowe.
In 1995 he appeared in "Our Friends In The North" as ‘Roy Johnson’ a police officer attempting to uncover police corruption.
He also appeared in "Inspector Morse" ("Daughters of Cain") as Ted Brooks, as well as two episodes of "Sharpe" ("Sharpe’s Enemy" and "Sharpe's Justice").
His films included "Chicken Run" and "Fakers". In 2008 he played Alfred Doolittle in The Old Vic's production of "Pygmalion". In November 2008 he joined the cast of "Emmerdale" as Mick Naylor. In 2010 he appeared in the London production of "Little Voice", as Mr Boo. He appeared in the role of Peter Cooper in an episode of "New Tricks" (BBC1) (Series 8: 10 - Tiger Tiger) first shown 5 Sept 2011.
Other interests.
Haygarth was also a scholar of Shakespeare's Dark Lady, an unidentified character in the Sonnets. He analysed a Nicholas Hilliard portrait, "Mistress Holland", concluding that it was in fact of Emilia Lanier, a candidate for the identity of "The Dark Lady". His play "Dark Meaning Mouse" features Emilia, Shakespeare and Simon Forman.
Death and family.
Haygarth died from Alzheimer's disease on 10 March 2017 at his home in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. At the time of his death, he was divorced from Carol Winter with whom he had two daughters, Katie and Becky.