Edward Tudor-Pole

Edward Felix Tudor-Pole (also known as Edward Tenpole; born 6 December 1954) is an English musician, television presenter and actor.

Originally gaining fame in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s as the lead singer of the punk rock band Tenpole Tudor, Tudor-Pole began an acting career following the group's split in 1982.

Personal life Tudor-Pole was born on 6 December 1954 in Lambeth, London, to David W. and Shirley C. (née Brown) Tudor-Pole. The family's name derives from that of John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk (great-grandson of Geoffrey Chaucer), via Tudor-Pole's grandfather, spiritualist Wellesley Tudor Pole. Wellesley's mother was a descendant of Welsh courtier Owen Tudor, and added the 'Tudor' to her son's name.

Tudor-Pole was educated at Pennthorpe School, Rudgwick, Sussex and King Edward's School in Witley, Surrey. He later attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He lives in London and has one son. He was a keen motorcyclist for many years; his riding skills can be seen in the 1997 film Tunnel of Love, in which he played the lead role of Dodge.

Musical career Tudor-Pole formed the band Tenpole Tudor in 1977, and eventually came to prominence after appearing in the film The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle as a possible replacement for Johnny Rotten in the Sex Pistols. He sang "Who Killed Bambi?", "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle" and a cover version of "Rock Around the Clock" in the film and on the soundtrack. He also appeared in the 1986 film Sid and Nancy.

Tenpole Tudor made a comeback in 1980, signing to Stiff Records and releasing two successful albums, Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary and Let the Four Winds Blow. They had three hit singles, including the Top 10 hit "Swords of a Thousand Men", which he performed on Top of the Pops in May 1981.

Acting career Tudor-Pole has appeared in numerous films and plays, and was the presenter on The Crystal Maze, replacing Richard O'Brien from 1993 until the show's hiatus in 1995. He appeared in Between the Lines in 1992, playing a Liverpudlian villain. His film and play credits include The Rocky Horror Show (written by his Crystal Maze predecessor), Jim Cartwright's play Road at the Royal Court Theatre, The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980), Absolute Beginners (1986), Drowning by Numbers (1988), White Hunter Black Heart (1990) with Clint Eastwood, Princess Caraboo (1994), and several films by Alex Cox including Sid and Nancy (1986), Straight to Hell (1987) and Walker (1987).

In Kull the Conqueror (1997) he played Enaros, the antagonist of the film. The following year he appeared as a slumlord in the film version of Les Misérables, and as a blind man in Russell Mulcahy's horror film Tale of the Mummy. He also was seen in Quills (2000), The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004) as Spike Milligan, The Queen's Sister (2005), and in Oliver Twist (2007) as Mr Slipsby. Most recently he had a small part in an episode of Agatha Christie's Marple entitled "A Pocket Full of Rye", shown in 2009. His appearance in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) as Mr Borgin, the owner of Borgin and Burke's store, was cut from the theatrical release, but is included in the extended edition DVD. He also appeared as a ranting street preacher in season two of Game of Thrones.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1980 The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle Tadpole 1986 Absolute Beginners Ed the Ted 1986 Sid and Nancy UK Hotelier 1987 Straight to Hell Rusty Zimmerman 1987 Walker Doubleday 1988 Drowning by Numbers Mr 71 Van Dyke 1990 White Hunter Black Heart Reissar, British partner 1994 Princess Caraboo Lord Neville 1994 Blackout Brother Francis 1996 Different for Girls Prosecuting Solicitor 1996 La lengua asesina Flash 1997 Kull the Conqueror Enaros 1997 Tunnel of Love Dodge 1998 Tale of the Mummy Blind Man 1998 The Young Person's Guide to Becoming A Rock Star Christian 1998 Les Misérables Landlord 2000 Some Voices Lighter Seller 2000 Quills Franval 2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Mr Borgin Deleted scenes 2004 The Life and Death of Peter Sellers Spike Milligan 2005 GamerZ Dr Denham 2005 The Queen's Sister Cecil Beaton TV movie 2008 Faintheart Lollipop Man / Death Metal Singer 2010 Straight to Hell Returns Rusty Zimmerman TBA Schadenfreude The Landlord

Television