Boys from the Blackstuff and GBH actor Michael Angelis dies aged 76
Michael Angelis, best known for Alan Bleasdale dramas Boys from the Blackstuff and GBH has died suddenly aged 76.
Angelis may be known better by younger audiences as the narrator of kids TV favourite Thomas and Friends.
The actor, who replaced original narrator Ringo Starr in 1991, died while at home with his wife on Saturday.
The Liverpool-born actor voiced the famous show for over twenty years, as well as playing Arnie in September Song, Lucien Boswell in The Liver Birds, Mickey Startup in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Chrissie Todd in Boys From The Blackstuff and Martin Niarchos in GBH.
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He also made appearances in The Bill, Heartbeat, in Holby City and Casualty.
John Bradley, who played Samwell Tarly in Game of Thrones, praised the star for “the mark” he left on television with his acting roles.
He tweeted: "To be in both Boys From The Blackstuff and GBH is really leaving your mark on telly. He was superb in both."
Little Britain star Matt Lucas said: “Michael Angelis was one of the greatest TV actors I've ever seen. His work with Alan Bleasdale was tremendous. What a loss.”
The Thick Of It writer Simon Blackwell also paid tribute on Twitter, writing: “Sad to hear that the great Michael Angelis has died. Exquisite and moving in Boys From The Black Stuff, enormously funny as Lucien in The Liver Birds.”
Angelis first made his mark on TV in the 1970s, appearing in Z Cars, Thirty-Minute Theatre and Coronation Street.
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He also enjoyed roles in Minder, World's End and A Touch Of Frost.
He was married to Corrie’s Helen Worth, known for playing Gail Platt, between 1991 and 2001, before later marrying Jennifer Khalastchi.
He was succeeded as narrator on Thomas And Friends by fellow Liverpool-born actor Mark Moraghan who was later replaced by John Hasler.
