Dursley McLinden was an actor, singer and dancer from the Isle of Man who moved to London to study acting at the age of 16. Creator Russell T Davies pays tribute to a real-life Doctor Who actor in It's A Sin episode four. Main jobs: Where is it set? During 1988, he also played his most-remembered part outside of Doctor Who in Just Ask For Diamond - the film adaptation of the first novel in Anthony Horowitz's Diamond Brothers book series. He was best known for his stage career, performing in musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Gigi and Follies. I did it for Dursley.. Dursley McLinden Allied with a strong will and an urgent sense of mission it made him one of the moving spirits behind West End Cares, the theatrical wing of the Aids charity Crusaid. "It was basically that show that made me want to make TV," says Peter. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. #DW pic.twitter.com/mrdYPrrGAL. He appeared in the West End in Lerner and Loewe's Gigi at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, and in Stephen Sondheim's Follies at the Shaftesbury Theatre. . He was born on May 29, 1965 and his birthplace is Douglas Isle of Man. involved in West End Cares, the theatre arm of the AIDS charity Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Born in Douglas, Isle of Man, McLinden moved to London when he was 16 to train at theatre school. Contents 1 Career 2 Death and Legacy 3 External links 4 Footnotes Career He moved from Isle of Man to London when he was 16 to train as an actor at the Mountview Theatre School. A talented actor, singer and dancer, over the following years he would appear in numerous productions in Britain and abroad, including Annie, Robert and Elizabeth, Damn Yankees, Gigi, The Threepenny Opera, Macbeth, The Crucifer of Blood, To Kill a Mocking Bird and Follies. Check it out with a 1-month free trial, only on Apple News+. He was a golden boy cut off in his prime. Alternatively,episodes air every Friday evening at 9pm on Channel 4. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Dursley McLinden obituary - the Doctor Who Cuttings Archive, "The real Ritchie: Dursley McLinden, the Doctor Who actor whose tragic end inspired It's a Sin", "OBITUARY: Dursley McLinden, The Independent", "Russell T Davies filmed a surprise Doctor Who scene for new drama It's A Sin", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dursley_McLinden&oldid=1128862061, Alumni of the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from January 2013, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 22 December 2022, at 10:06. As The Stage wrote in its obituary, "He was a golden boy cut off in his prime". During his career, he appeared mostly on the London stage in musicals such as @andrewlloydwebber's @phantomlondon. 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He also produced and acted in Stephen Lowe's Strive at the Capital Radio Drama Festival and the Theatre Museum. 7 August 1995 A talented actor, singer Career highlights Davies says that Its a Sins fictional serial is named Regression of the Daleks in allusion to that adventure. Dursley McLinden girlfriend, wife 1965 - 1995 Dursley McLinden British Actor 3 2 edit Age 30 at death Zodiac Gemini Dursley McLinden dating history Relationships We have no records of past relationships for Dursley McLinden. Some of their work includes Mr. Bean, Just Ask for Diamond, Doctor Who: Remembrance of the Daleks, Doctor Who, and Anticasanova. Its not me going, Hooray, lets get a few pages in Doctor Who Magazine. It, literally, felt natural. Shortly afterwards he won a role in Derek Nimmo's production of The Man Most Likely To . So I hope that's what happens.". It's A Sin writer Russell T Davies met McLinden through a mutual friend.[6]. Elizabeth, Damn Yankees, Gigi, The Threepenny Opera, Macbeth, The TV roles included Dr Who and Mr Bean. Ritchie's casting in Doctor Who turns out to be pivotal, as it's only when the show's head of make-up notices that "something's wrong" with Ritchie's skin that he decides to get tested for HIV/AIDS. He is from . In 1986. he went on the Far East tour of The Man Most Likely to with Lesley Phillips and Elizabeth Hurley, and in 1988 played a young Ben in Follies with Eartha Kitt and Daniel Massey at the Shaftesbury. - Son/ Daughter. Unfortunately, the casting of Ritchie in Doctor Who ledhimto bediagnosed with AIDS, after the show's make up expert noticed something was "wrong" with his skin. Remembrance of the Daleks Dursley McLinden (29 May 1965-7 August 1995[1]) played Mike Smith in the Doctor Who television story Remembrance of the Daleks. Russell met him earlier at his friend Jill Nalder's flat, who readers might know better as the real-life inspiration behind Lydia West's Jill in It's a Sin. Dursley McLinden is known as an Actor. He died of AIDS less than three months later at the age of 30. Thursday, 2nd March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. In a way, Davies explained, the Doctor Who cameo was a tribute to classic series actor Dursley McLinden (who played RAF sergeant Mike Smith), who he met at his friend Jill's flat shortly before. The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets The scene quickly turns from fantastical wonder into something far more painful and grounded, but even through the tears, we couldn't help but wonder how this poignant crossover came about in the first place. You can unsubscribe at any time. [2]. You can unsubscribe at any time. "I was a 9-year-old addict, and then a 14-year-old uber-fan. His final production was The Phantom of the Opera. [2], Falling ill in 1988, McLinden was diagnosed with HIV AIDS in 1990. They were owned by individuals, some of whom were ex-Doctor Who operators Dalek operators. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. By paying tribute to the past in such a beautiful, touching way, this scene connects It's a Sin with one of the many people whose stories deserve to be celebrated in real life too. Time is wibbly-wobbly, and no one knows that better than Russell T Davies, the former Doctor Who showrunner who's travelled back through time again with his latest masterpiece, It's a Sin. Born in Douglas, Isle of Man. I'd never been so high in my life.". You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Towards the end of 1988, McLinden fell ill from AIDS. ", "Obviously, I became a part of Doctor Who," Peter continues. It should come as no surprise hearing this that Peter is a lifelong fan of Doctor Who, just like Russell, and not only because he directed an episode himself, season six's 'A Good Man Goes to War'. I did it for Dursley., The scene features series lead Olly Alexander as actor Ritchie Tozer, whos playing a part in a fictional 1988 Doctor Who serial. Work in the DWU For any questions about HIV or advice, please contact Terrence Higgins Trust Direct on 0808 802 1221. @Louisa_Mellor, Louisa Mellor is the Den of Geek UK TV Editor. Louisa Mellor | Main roles: "What a beautiful boy!" Dursley James McLinden (29 May 1965 7 August 1995) was a Manx actor whose career was mostly focused on the London stage in musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Gigi (Lyric Theatre, 1985) and Follies. This content is imported from Twitter. As an enterprising sideline, McLinden had also developed a special skill as an entertaining and adept conjurer, a role which he usually performed for charity and which invariably drew eager volunteers to be sawn in half (his piece de resistance) at theatre garden parties. It's a Sin airs on Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4. It's A Sin follows a group of five close-knitfriends livingin London in the 1980s. Part-inspiration for the character of Ritchie Tozer in. Speaking at a press Q&A, Davies confirmed that much of It's A Sin is autobiographical or else based on people he knew, while certain characters in the It's A Sin cast are based on real-life individuals. He fell ill with HIV/AIDS seven years before his death, and became involved in AIDS activism alongside his acting career, which he continued to pursue despite his illness. Dursley McLinden was an actor, singer, and dancer. Does Unforgotten work without Nicola Walker? Dursley McLinden, was an actor from Douglas, Isle of Man. Dursley McLinden, actor, dancer and singer: born Douglas, Isle of Man 29 May 1965; died London 7 August 1995. He was 30 years old. The Den of Geek quarterly magazine is packed with exclusive features, interviews, previews and deep dives into geek culture. "But I would have loved to have been part of it in the '80s when it really, really affected me.". He also made at least one appearance in feature films. Burial Burial Details Unknown Memorial ID 94223954 . Dursley James McLinden was a Manx actor whose career was mostly focused on the London stage in musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Gigi and Follies. Who is Dursley McLinden dating? In Channel 4 drama It's A Sin, series creator Russell T Davies pays tribute to the friends he lost to HIV/AIDS, which first reached the UK in the 1980s. So, how much is Dursley McLinden worth at the age of 30 years old? A talented actor, singer and dancer, over the following years he would appear in numerous productions in Britain and abroad, including Annie, Robert and Elizabeth, Damn Yankees, Gigi, The Threepenny Opera, Macbeth, The Crucifer of Blood, To Kill a Mocking Bird and Follies. Dursley McLinden was an actor, singer, and dancer. He is also ranked in the richest person list from Isle of Man. One of my friends used to call it 'the love that dare not speak its name', ironically, because no one dared to tell anyone else they were a Doctor Who fan.". It's A Sin: Olly Alexander plays Ritchie in It's A Sin, It's A Sin cast: Who is Nathaniel Hall?It's A, It's A Sin: It's A Sin is based on some real people and real events, HIV test: Dr Ranj shows viewers how to test for HIV 'on the spot', It's A Sin: Ritchie Tozer's character pays tribute to Dursley McLinden in episode 4. This article about a Manx actor is a stub. I was really desperate to do it, said Davies. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. A talented actor, singer and dancer, over the following years he would appear in numerous productions in Britain and abroad, including Annie, Robert and Elizabeth, Damn Yankees, Gigi, The Threepenny Opera, Macbeth, The Crucifer of Blood, To Kill a Mocking Bird and Follies. "We had the right cameras as well," Peter tells me. He appeared onstage at Her Majesty's Theatre in Haymarket just 10 weeks before his death. At the age of eight, McLinden made his first stage appearance at Willaston School, playing the dame in Dick Whittington. For the past four years he was a regular member of the company of The Phantom of the Opera, in which he served in a variety of roles, sometimes as understudy, sometimes in the chorus and occasionally, when there was an opportunity and he was fit enough, playing the supporting role of Raoul. They brought their own Daleks, and they're all from different Doctor Whos.". Dursley was a phenomenal celebrity influencer. He was born on May 29, 1965 and his birthplace is Douglas Isle of Man. Russell T Davies tells Doctor Who Magazine #560 that it's not just some kind of an in-joke for him, but a memorial for Dursley McLinden, who played RAF Sergeant Mike Smith in Sylvester McCoy's . He was born in Douglas, Isle of Man on the 29th May 1965, before moving to London to study acting at the age of 16. [RECAP]Its A Sin: Colin star addresses really hard Mr Hart scene[DETAILS]. He appeared in the title role in the 1988 film Just Ask for Diamond. It's a Sin director Peter Hoar wondered the same, telling us, "You don't normally ask this question of Russell T Davies and [producer] Phil Collinson, but I was like, 'Have we got permission to use the Daleks?'". Dressed in a futuristic outfit, Tozer's character, Trooper Linden, defends a space station from what looks like a group of Daleks. West End Cares has raised over pounds 250,000 since it was founded in 1987 and McLinden worked strenuously to achieve this. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Contribute He was already very ill, but he was so hilarious and lovely. He appeared on the West End (including in an acclaimed production of Gigi) and in the company of The Phantom of the Opera. "It's all anachronistic because as Doctor Who fans will tell you the Daleks all come from different periods. with lot of social media fan he often posts many personal photos and videos to interact with her huge fan base social media plateform. While the characters and individual storylines have been created for dramatic purposes, some of the characters are inspired by real people and many of theevents inthe drama are based on real-life experiences ofDavies'friends or even Davies himself. This friend is none other than the "real" Ritchie of the series, Dursley McLinden who is loosely portrayed by Olly Alexander. Tragically, Dursley contracted HIV/AIDS seven years before his death on August 7, 1995, at age 30. After this, he devoted most of his time to raising money for AIDS-related charities and limited his acting roles. Appeared in Robert and Elizabeth at the Chichester Festival Theatre. ", Remembering the beautiful actor Dursley McLinden, who died on this day in 1995, aged only 30. Published: Wednesday, 27th January 2021 at 1:36 pm, Who is Dursley McLinden? MLA 7th ed. Death 7 Aug 1995 (aged 30) London, City of London, Greater London, England. [1] Aged 16, he left his home in Douglas and trained as an actor at the Mountview Theatre School in Peckham. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. While we don't know if they were able to save the day on screen, this casting tragically led to the end of Ritchie's world, because this is the moment where the show's make-up expert notices something is "wrong" with his skin, which in turn leads to Ritchie's fatal AIDS diagnosis. Outlander: Why was Captain Black Jack killed off from Outlander? The Stage p. 30. Just Ask For Diamond, The Diamond Brothers, Mr. Bean Shazam! Dursley McLinden is a famous British actor who has a net worth of $1-3 million. Send feedback to whovian@cuttingsarchive.org, http://cuttingsarchive.org/images/c/ce/1995-11-02_Stage.jpg, http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php?title=Dursley_McLinden_obituary&oldid=8759. to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. IT'S A SIN is the Channel 4 drama series charting the AIDS epidemic in Britain during the 1980s. He became very wonderful in his AIDS activism when he was ill, but to me he was that boy from Remembrance of the Daleks. The Serpent: He was very slick What Charles Sobhraj was really like. Main time period active: Dursley McLinden (May 29, 1965 - August 7, 1995) was an actor who died of AIDS in London. Dursley McLinden ( 29 May 1965 - 7 August 1995 [1]) played Mike Smith in the Doctor Who television story Remembrance of the Daleks . Alas, seven years ago McLinden fell ill. McLinden was born and grew up in Douglas, Isle of Man, and at the age of eight, at Douglas High School, he played the Dame in Dick Whittington. He was already very ill, but he was so hilarious and lovely. When he appeared in such musicals as Annie, Robert and Elizabeth, Damn Yankees and Gigi (in which he appeared in John Dexter's West End production), he showed himself to be a young performer who could not only sing and dance with charm and skill but one whose personality alone was likely to carry him through a whole succession of leading roles in English musical theatre. Because queer viewers need to find ways to escape reality more than most, especially those who hail from a time when this kind of representation was even more alien than the beings Doctor Who encountered. He played Tim Diamond in the film Just Ask for Diamond, a part perfectly suited to his lightness Of touch and comic timing. [3] The actor continued working up until a few weeks before his death at the age of 30. His last performance, only 10 weeks ago, was in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's, on the night before his 30th birthday. Dursley also appeared as Tim Diamond in Anthony Horowitz's Just Ask for Diamond alongside Saeed Jaffrey and Michael Robbins. Help keep Dursley McLinden profile up to date. Crusaid. I didnt do it as a joke. How It's A Sin pays tribute to the Doctor Who actor. In 1981, at 16, he was the youngest student to win a place at the Mountview Theatre School. It was written to honour the memory of McLinden, who played RAF sergeant Mike Smith in Seventh Doctor adventure Remembrance of the Daleks. This article about a British actor is a stub. Dursley McLinden is a member of the following lists: 1965 births, 1995 deaths and British actor stubs. You can order a free HIV test kit for National HIV Testing Week via the It Starts With Me website. Firefly Lane book: Does Firefly Lane have a sequel? With HIV AIDS in 1990, how much is dursley McLinden was diagnosed with HIV AIDS in 1990, and... Was the youngest student to win a place at the Chichester Festival Theatre 7 August 1995 died on this in... 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