Actor Tom Georgeson has died at the age of 88.
The Liverpool native found fame appearing on the BBC‘s Boys from the Blackstuff in 1982 and had supporting parts on other shows like Between The Lines.
He also made guest appearances in numerous popular shows including Holby City, Doctor Who, The Bill and Brookside.
His family said his death came as a shock, though no further details have been disclosed about the circumstances of his passing.
Tom had been living in London and is survived by his wife Prim and children Richard and Roslyn.
His film credits included A Fish Called Wanda opposite John Cleese where his character’s name ‘George Thomason’ was a play on his own.
Actor Tom Georgeson has died at the age of 88 (pictured in 1999)
His family said his death came as a shock, though no further details have been disclosed about the circumstances of his passing (pictured on Poirot: The Hollow in 2004)
He also appeared in Notes On A Scandal with Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett.
Danny Conway, Tom’s nephew, told the Liverpool ECHO: ‘I’m gutted because we weren’t expecting it. Last time I spoke to him he was in good health.
‘I woke up to that news today and it’s just sad. I was really proud of him and felt lucky to have a famous uncle.’
Danny added Tom had remained closely connected to his roots despite his success, and was admired within the family for his values.
He said: ‘There’s a strong socialist streak in the family. It’s a bit like Bill Shankly’s mantra.’
Tom was perhaps best known for his long-standing collaboration with writer Alan Bleasdale, appearing in Boys from the Blackstuff, Scully and GBH.
In Boys from the Blackstuff, a drama shaped by the economic hardship of the Thatcher era, he played the security guard Dixie Dean, a role that contributed to the programme’s enduring cultural impact.
The Liverpool native found fame appearing on the BBC’s Boys from the Blackstuff in 1982 (pictured with Neil Pearson)
Throughout his career, Tom became recognised for portraying working-class characters with authenticity, reflecting both his upbringing in Liverpool and his commitment to the stories he chose to tell.
Tom’s frequent collaborator Alan Bleasdale has remained a respected figure in British drama, working in television and theatre.
In recent years, the now 79-year-old has focused on adapting his iconic 1980s work for the stage, including a 2023-2024 revival of his iconic TV series Boys from the Blackstuff.