Galaxy

28 Nov 2013

Professionals star Lewis Collins - who was once called 'too aggressive' to be Bond - dies after five-year battle with cancer


The Professionals star Lewis Collins has died aged 67, his agent said.

The actor, who played Bodie in the crime drama alongside co-star Martin Shaw, died in Los Angeles yesterday after a five-year struggle with cancer.

His agent said: 'He died peacefully at his LA home surrounded by his family. Privacy is asked for at this very sad time.'

Speaking today, Shaw paid tribute to his co-star.

'I was very sad to hear today that Lewis has died,' he said. 

'We spent a very tough four years together in making The Professionals, and shared in the production of what has become an icon of British Television.

'He will be remembered as part of the childhood of so many people, and mourned by his fans. I send my love and condolences to his family, and the great many who will miss him.'

Father-of-three Collins, who was born in Merseyside, lived with his wife Michelle and sons Oliver, Elliot, and Cameron in Los Angeles in the years before his death.

Known for his role as tough-guy Bodie, Collins was a popular character in The Professionals, which was famed for its Ford Capris, tight trousers, and 1970s rule-free approach to policing.

The Professionals made stars of Collins and Shaw, was based around the adventures of a fictional crime fighting unit called CI5, which had been instructed by the Home Secretary to use any means necessary to deal with serious crime. 

Former paratrooper and SAS solider William Bodie, played by Collins, was a keen partier and ladies man, more relaxed than his on-screen partner Raymond Doyle, who was brought to life by Shaw.
 

Starring role: Collins starred as British military-trained mercenary Bodie in the popular drama

Father: Collins had three sons, Oliver, Elliot and Cameron amd was photographed picking one of his children up from a sports event in Los Angeles in 2011

Its memorable theme tune and action-packed plots made it a huge hit on ITV in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Born in Birkenhead, Wirral, Collins started out as a hairdresser before he started playing drums and guitar in pop groups, and had a number of other jobs before he decided to become an actor. 

After training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and performing on numerous theatre tours, he won the role that would make him famous in 1977, continuing until the series ended in 1981.

In 1982 he auditioned for the role of James Bond but his audition was deemed 'too aggressive'.

Outside of The Professionals, his best known role came playing SAS officer Captain Peter Skellen in the 1982 film Who Dares Wins.

On the job: Filming The Professionals with co-stars Gordon Jackson and Martin Shaw on the River Thames

He subsequently applied to join the Territorial SAS, a unit open to part-time reservists but was rejected because of his fame, despite passing the entrance tests.

Lewis had another taste of on-screen policing when he played Dr Peter Alan, a research scientist in need of police protection, in a 2002 episode of The Bill.

In early 2012, Lewis was cast to play Earl Godwin in the historically based feature film production of 1066, although in June 2013 it was reported that he had withdrawn from the production.

He married teacher Michelle Larrett in 1992, and the couple went on to have their three sons.

Daredevil: Collins vaulting a railing above the streets of London in 1981. The auditioned for James Bond, but was told he was 'too aggressive' for the part

Soldier: Outside of The Professionals, his best known role came playing SAS officer Captain Peter Skellen in the 1982 film Who Dares Wins, alongside Judy Davis

 Return to screens: Lewis Collins in ITV police drama The Bill






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