John Forgeham

John Henry George Forgeham (14 May 1941 – 10 March 2017) was an English actor known for his television work, notably the role of businessman Frank Laslett in the ITV series Footballers' Wives.

Early life Born in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, Forgeham moved to Erdington, Birmingham as a child, and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) on a two-year scholarship (1962–1964) from where he graduated with a RADA Silver medal for Best Performance student.

Career Stage Forgeham was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) (from 1966 until 1972) and toured with the company both nationally and internationally. Whilst on tour in Australia he decided to stay longer than anticipated and founded the Globe Shakespeare Theatre in Sydney.

Film Film appearances include: The Italian Job (1969), Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall (1973), Spy Story (1976), Sheena (1984), Pope John Paul II (1984), The Laughter of God (1990), King of the Wind (1990), The Young Americans (1993), Staggered (1994), The Road to Ithaca (1999), Kiss of the Dragon (2001), Mean Machine (2001), Torture Room (2007) and Dead Man Running (2009).

Later life and death Forgeham was co-writing his biography with his friend novelist, screenwriter and producer Simon W. Golding (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0325715/?ref_=fn_t_1) when he died. Golding gave tribute to Forgeham in many national news outlets, including the BBC.

In 2004 he appeared in the second series of the ITV weight loss show, Celebrity Fit Club. He replaced Freddie Starr as team captain, but was demoted five weeks later, the role being taken by James Whitaker.

Forgeham died suddenly from internal bleeding after breaking a collarbone when falling out of bed at his care home in Worthing, West Sussex on 10 March 2017, at the age of 75.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1969 The Italian Job Frank 1973 Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall Wally 1976 Spy Story Security Guard One Hour to Zero Sam Rogers 1984 Sheena Jorgenson 1987 L'inchiesta Marco 1990 King of the Wind Blacksmith 1994 Staggered Inspector Lubbock 1997 Remember Me? Police Inspector 1999 The Road to Ithaca Kemal Ahmed 2001 Kiss of the Dragon Max Mean Machine Charlie Sykes 2007 Pledge of Allegiance Mr. Green 2009 Dead Man Running Terry Biggs 2011 The Fencers Cornel Wilde Short film

Television Year Title Role Notes 1961 Spy-Catcher Jeep Driver Episode: "Doves of War" 1963 No Hiding Place Joe Dean Episode: "Pay As You Earn" The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre Adrian Marlowe Episode: "The Partner" 1963–1974 Z Cars Ted O'Neill/Drew 2 episodes 1964 ITV Play of the Week Private Elliot Episode: "Jacko At War" 1965 The Avengers Beale Episode: "The Murder Market" 1966 The Idiot Keller 3 episodes The Wednesday Play Fisher Episode: "Why Aren't You Famous?" Seven Deadly Sins Kenny Episode: "The Erpingham Camp" Thirteen Against Fate Victor Episode: "The Suspect" 1967 The Fellows Des 2 episodes 1970 Dynasty Jason Werner Episode: "Catwalk" Homicide Ken Thornton Episode: "Doris and Daphne" 1971–1972 Catwalk Saxon Wells 14 episodes 1972 The Stone Tape Maudsley Television film 1973 Chaser Unknown Television film The Brothers Mortimer Episode: "Errors of Judgement" 1974 Father Brown Simeon Barnes Episode: "The Hammer of God" 1975 The Sweeney Dennis Rawlins Episode: "The Placer" Churchill's People John Morice Episode: "Mutiny" 1976 The Expert Warder Episode: "Fail Safe" 1976–1978 Crossroads: King's Oak Jim Baines 41 episodes 1980 Tales of the Unexpected Police Officer Episode: "The Hitch-Hiker" Minder George Episode: "Whose Wife Is It Anyway?" The Professionals D.S. Colin Episode: "Take Away" Play for Today Gent at Hospital Episode: "Number on End" Shoestring Terry Bowen Episode: "Another Man's Castle" 1981 The Incredible Mr Tanner Mick Episode: "The Wallet" Crown Court Special Constable Copesley Episode: "Freedom to Incite: Part 1" Strangers Red Keegan Episode: "Soldiers of Misfortune" Juliet Bravo Clive Temple Episode: "Catching Up" 1982 Ivanhoe Front's Lieutenant Television film L for Lester Alf Bayley 6 episodes Saturday Night Thriller Inspector Heneker Episode: "A Gift of Tongues" Beau Geste Sgt. Maj. Lejaune 6 episodes 1983 A Married Man Detective Inspector Blackett 2 episodes Give Us a Break Brindly 2 episodes 1984 Ever Decreasing Circles Lorry Driver Episode: "The New Neighbour" Killer Exposed Det. Insp. George Hawthorne Television film Pope John Paul II Officer Moljek Television film Sakharov Unknown Television film 1985 Ties of Blood Sergeant Television film 1985–1987 C.A.T.S. Eyes Harry Hopkins/Landlord/Alan Dyer 3 episodes 1986 Duty Free Sheridan Episode: "Costa Del Crime" Lovejoy Arnold Episode: "To Sleep No More" Boon Lenny Gates Episode: "For Whom the Chimes Toll" Prospects Jock Episode: "Rodent Engineers" Big Deal Manners Episode: "Following in Father's Footsteps" 1986–1997 Casualty Steve Meacham/Sgt. Shaw 2 episodes 1987 Y.E.S. Wensbury Episode: "Muscle" Bulman Edwin Gilbert Episode: "Chinese Whispers" Pulaski Georgie Fowler Episode: "Violence, Love and Ratings" Divided We Stand Taxi Driver Episode: "Episode #1.1" Ernie's Incredible Illucinations German Officer Television film 1988 Bergerac Arnie Spivak Episode: "Private Fight" Final Run McMorris 4 episodes Casting Off Tim 4 episodes Journey's End Company Sergeant Major Television film 1988–1997 London's Burning Elkins/Commander 6 episodes 1989 Storyboard McPhee Episode: "Snakes and Ladders" Nice Work Brian Everthorpe 4 episodes Precious Bane Huglet Television film 1989–1991 Making Out Frankie 14 episodes 1990 Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less Ronnie Television film Birds of a Feather C.I.D. Officer Episode: "Muesli" This Is David Harper Billy 'Paving Stone' Adams Episode: "Partners in Crime?" 1991 T. Bag and the Rings of Olympus Duke of Florence Episode: "Leonardo" Screen Two Hateley Episode: "The Laughter of God" Prime Suspect DCI John Shefford Episode: "Price to Pay: Part 1" Chalkface Gerry Lambert Episode: "Christmas Cheer" 1991–1998 The Ruth Rendell Mysteries Pub Landlord/Det. Insp. Baker 5 episodes 1992 Heartbeat Reg Pendleton Episode: "Rumours" 1992–1999 The Bill D.I. Cameron/John Liddle 2 episodes 1993 The Comic Strip Presents... Sergeant Episode: "Detectives on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown" All in the Game Freddie Matthews 6 episodes 1994 Pie in the Sky Jack Meynell Episode: "Endangered Species" Blue Heaven Jim Sandford 6 episodes Pleasure Police Chief Television film Crocodile Shoes Bernie Marks Episode: "The Deal" 1996 The Bare Necessities Big Vinnie Television film The Governor Governor Wrexham 2 episodes Cold Lazarus Tramp Episode: "Episode #1.2" The Knock Denny Peters Episode: "Episode #2.9" Seed Julie's Dad Television film Family Money BBC Colleague Television film 1997 The New Adventures of Robin Hood Lord Garth Television film The Fix Alan Hardaker Television film 1998 The Echo Charlie 2 episodes 2002 NCS Manhunt DS Gordon Bilboe 2 episodes 2002–2004 Footballers' Wives Frank Laslett 21 episodes 2003 Born and Bred Lucio Braithwaite Episode: "A Very Ormston Christmas" 2004 All About Me Piggott Episode: "Where There's Blame" 2005 The Last Detective Bernie Wilson Episode: "Three Steps to Hendon" Dream Team Phil the Stadium Manager Episode: "Marathon Man" 2007 Rhona's Pantry Roy Television series 2012 Doctors Nigel Whitely Episode: "Tales of the Rather Expected"