Avon Calling

The actor Paul Darrow, perhaps best known for his television role as Avon in Blake's 7, has died aged 78 it has been announced. He was truly awesome in the role, which together with many other original cast members, he later reprised in audio adventures. Where of course the special effects and set design was far superior to the 1970's era TV incarnation LOL.

Sadly Peter Tuddenham (voice of Zen, Orac & Slave), Gareth Thomas (Blake) and Jacqueline Pierce (Servalan) are also no longer with us.

Darrow was also known more recently as the voice of Jack for the radio network Jack FM.

I had the good fortune a number of years ago to see Darrow perform on stage as Captain Vimes in an adaption of (another great love of mine) Terry Pratchett's "Guards! Guards!" His casting and portrayal was wonderful, spot on, full of wit and knowing glances. At the close of that evenings performance, the cast had the honour of announcing Pratchett had just been awarded an OBE by HM the Queen. Happy days.

A poster from the tour.