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David Daker
David Daker
David Daker
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Colin David Daker[1] (born 29 September 1935) is an English actor.[2] He had a regular role as Harry Crawford in the series Boon.[3]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Daker was born in Bilston and attended Etheridge Secondary Modern School, now called Moseley Park School, in the West Midlands.[citation needed]

Career

[edit]

Daker played Tommy Mackay in Only Fools and Horses and Jarvis in Porridge.[4][5] He has made appearances in Minder, Thriller, Hazell and Rising Damp, and appeared twice in Doctor Who, playing Irongron in The Time Warrior (1973-74) and Captain Rigg in Nightmare of Eden (1979).

In film, Daker played young Kevin's father in Time Bandits (1981) and the desk sergeant in I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle (1990).[6][7]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1973 O Lucky Man! Various
1973 The Optimists of Nine Elms Bob Ellis
1974 The Black Windmill MI5 Man
1974 Stardust Ralph Woods
1976 Aces High Bennett
1976 Voyage of the Dammed First Officer
1979 That Summer! Pub Landlord
1981 Time Bandits Kevin's Father
1982 Britannia Hospital Guest Workman
1990 I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle Desk Sergeant

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1964 Detective Thomas Yaxley Episode: "The Loring Mystery"
1966 King of the River Jack Flynn Episode: "Keeping the Old Spirit Alive"
1969 ITV Sunday Night Theatre Ken Episode: "Travelling Where?"
1970 Parkin's Patch Det. Sgt. Milburn Episode: "The Spider's Web"
1971 UFO SHADO Guard (uncredited) Episode: "Flight Path"
1971 Trial Prior Episode: "On the Evidence You Will Hear"
1972 Villains George 6 episodes
1969–1972 Dixon of Dock Green Headmaster

Jock

2 episodes
1973 Full House Fedya in On the High Road Episode: #1.22
1973 General Hospital Unknown Episode: #1.63
1973 Hadleigh Ted Prior Episode: "Gentleman and Players"
1973 Second City Firsts Peter Episode: "If a Man Answers"
1973 Doctor Who Irongron Serial: "The Time Warrior"

(4 episodes)

1974 The Carnforth Practice Tanker Driver Episode: "The Aristocrat"
1974 Hunter's Walk Barry Dawes Episode: "Villain"
1974 Armchair Cinema Tusser Episode: "Regan"
1974 Marked Personal Jack Williams 2 episodes
1974 Dial M for Murder Tony Episode: "Recording Angel"
1974 ITV Sunday Night Drama Sussex Episode: "The Ceremony of Innocence"
1975 Churchill's People John Bradwater Episode: "Shouts and Murmurs"
1975 The Hanged Man Piet Hollander Episode: "The Bridge Maker"
1975 The Main Chance Jacobson Episode: "Survival"
1975 The Rough with the Smooth Rudolph Culpepper Episode: "The Broom Cupboard"
1975 Daft As a Brush Jack Baker Television film
1975 BBC Play of the Month Cpl. Hill Episode: "Chips with Everything"
1975 Thriller Charlie Draper Episode: "Kill Two Birds"
1975 Softly Softly: Task Force Walters Episode: "Dorothy's Birthday"
1976 Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd Mr. Holroyd Television film
1974–1976 Centre Play Jacky Maddison

Max

2 episodes
1976 Three Days in Szczecin Workers' spokesman Television film
1977 Eleanor Marx Will Thorne 2 episodes
1977 Warship PO Asdale Episode: "Counter Charge"
1977 Porridge Jarvis Episode: "Final Stretch"
1977 Rising Damp Mr. Brent Episode: "That's My Boy"
1967–1977 Z Cars PC Culshaw

Reg Sgt. Milne

84 episodes
1977 The Dick Emery Show Unknown Episode: #16.2
1977 Target Mike Ansell Episode: "Vandraggers"
1977 BBC2 Play of the Week Max Episode: "The Kitchen"
1978 Hazell Dave Ryman Episode: "Hazell and the Rubber-Heel Brigade"
1978 Holocaust Rudolf Hoess Episode: "Part 4: 1944–1945"
1978 Strangers Roy Stephens Episode: "Right and Wrong"
1979 All Creatures Great and Small Mr. Barratt Episode: "Puppy Love"
1979 Doctor Who Rigg Serial: "Nightmare of Eden"

(3 episodes)

1979 Charlie Muffin Bolton Television film
1979 Two People Len Fletcher 5 episodes
1979 Saint Joan Poulengey Television film
1980 The Enigma Files Major Mike Clark Episode: "The Full Flying Carpet Treatment"
1976–1981 When the Boat Comes In Chater

Sid Meek

2 episodes
1981 The Gentle Touch Sam Taylor Episode: "Doubt"
1981 BBC2 Playhouse Alf Episode: "The Grudge Fight"
1979–1982 Dick Turpin Captain Nathan Spiker 13 episodes
1982 Legacy of Murder Mechanic Episode: "Who Do You Voodoo?"
1982 ITV Playhouse 'Dogfood' Dan Milton Episode: "Dogfood Dan and the Camarthen Cowboy"
1982 Only Fools and Horses Tommy Mackay Episode: "No Greater Love"
1983 The First Part of King Henry VI Reignier, Duke of Anjou

Vernon

Television film
1983 The Second Part of King Henry VI Duke of Buckingham Television film
1983 The Third Part of King Henry VI Lord Hastings Television film
1983 Richard III Lord Hastings Television film
1983 To the Lighthouse Mr. Trevorrow Television film
1983 Give us a Break Ron Palmer 7 episodes
1984 Crown Court Harry Barber 3 episodes
1975–1984 Play for Today Various 8 episodes
1984 Moonfleet Elzevir Block 6 episodes
1984 Hallelujah! Brother Benjamin

Bob Scratchitt

8 episodes
1968–1985 Coronation Street Gordon Lewis

Basil Griffin

31 episodes
1985 Summer Season Leo Lyon Episode: "Urban Jungle"
1980–1985 Minder Alex Brompton

Sir Ronald Bates

2 episodes
1981–1985 Juliet Bravo Charlie Pendle

Chris Oldham Colin Bright

3 episodes
1986 Sorry! Byron Hadlee Episode: "The Primal Scene, So to Speak"
1986 Love and Marriage Maurice Bannister Episode: "A Walk Under Ladders"
1987 Up Line Leon Targett 4 episodes
1987 Screen Two Mr. Plant Episode: "The Children of Dynmouth" (Novel: "The Children of Dynmouth")
1988 Blind Justice Det. Insp. Gee Episode: "A Death in the Family"
1989 The Woman in Black Josiah Freston Television film
1995 Crown Prosecutor Ben Campbell 10 episodes
1986–1995 Boon Harry Crawford 93 episodes
1995 Resort to Murder Sam Penny 4 episodes
1995 Pigeon Summer Uncle Charley
1996 The Vet Gerry Leadbetter Episode: "Out of the Past"
1996 Paul Merton in Galton and Simpson's... Farmer Episode: "Twelve Angry Men"
1996 Casualty Jim Porteous Episode: "Waterwings"
1997 Dangerfield Ken Markham Episode: "Perfect Witness"
1998 Midsomer Murders Harry Vellacott Episode: "Faithful unto Death" (Novel: "Faithful unto Death)")
1999 The Ruth Rendell Mysteries Stanley Clayton Episode: "The Fallen Curtain"
1995–2000 The Bill Laurie Coleman

Mick Davies

2 episodes
2000 Dalziel and Pascoe Jack Turton Episode: "A Sweeter Lazarus"
2000 Heartbeat Matty Lovell Episode: "War Stories"
2001 Where the Heart Is Peter Lampard Episode: "Pound of Flesh"
2001 Hearts and Bones Mr. Rose 2 episodes
2001 Big Bad World Ernest 3 episodes
2004 The Last Detective Jervis Beauchamp Episode: "Benefit to Mankind"
2004 Powers Mike Knowles Episode: "The Future Is Yours"
2002–2007 Doctors Eric Barbar

Jim Young

2 episodes
2004–2009 Holby City Bill Gibbs

Mr Frisby

2 episodes

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

David Daker

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
David Daker, born Colin David Daker on 29 September 1935 in Bilston, Staffordshire, England, is an English actor recognized for his extensive work in British television and film, particularly his recurring roles in popular series of the 1970s through 1990s. Daker's career began in the 1960s with appearances in television dramas, including the role of PC Owen Culshaw in the long-running police series Z-Cars. He gained prominence in the 1970s with supporting parts such as Jarvis, the prison officer, in the sitcom Porridge (1974–1977), and the market trader Tommy Mackay in an episode of Only Fools and Horses (1982). His science fiction credits include portraying the robber baron Irongron in the Doctor Who serial The Time Warrior (1973–1974) and Captain Rigg in Nightmare of Eden (1979). Daker achieved one of his most sustained roles as the dependable garage owner Harry Crawford in the action-drama Boon (1986–1992), appearing in over 50 episodes. In film, Daker featured in notable productions like the fantasy adventure Time Bandits (1981) as Kevin's father, the comedy-horror I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle (1989) as the desk sergeant, and the aviation drama Aces High (1976) as Bennett. He also appeared in the television film The Woman in Black (1989) as Josiah Freston and in an episode of the veterinary series All Creatures Great and Small (1978). Educated at Etheridge (now Moseley Park School) in the West Midlands, Daker has been described as a versatile embodying solid, figures throughout his decades-long career. In later years, he retired to live in .

Early life

Birth and upbringing

David Daker was born Colin David Daker on 29 September 1935 in , , (now part of the West Midlands). , located in the heart of the , was a quintessential industrial town during the 1930s and 1940s, dominated by , steelworks, and heavy manufacturing that shaped its predominantly working-class population. The area suffered from chronic overcrowding, environmental pollution, and substandard housing, reflecting the broader challenges of Britain's industrial heartlands amid the and . Daker's early years in this environment provided the backdrop for his formative experiences, though specific details on his dynamics remain limited in public records. This period transitioned into his formal at local schools.

Education

David Daker attended Etheridge in , West Midlands, an institution that underwent a to Moseley Park School in 1975 following its transition to a comprehensive format. This provided the foundation for his early years in a working-class .

Career

Theatre work

David Daker began his professional stage career as an ensemble member at the Salisbury Playhouse, where he served from 1960 to 1965, gaining foundational experience in through diverse roles and ensemble training. During this period, he took on initial supporting parts that honed his skills in live performance, including the role of Stage Manager in Larger Than Life (28 November – 3 December 1960) and Young Man in at the same venue. These early assignments emphasized the collaborative and improvisational demands of repertory work, building his versatility in classical and modern plays. Among his notable performances at Salisbury, Daker portrayed Det. Sgt. Coombs in Strike for Death (12–17 December 1960), showcasing his ability to handle dramatic tension in crime-themed productions. He also played Jeremy in She Stoops to Conquer (10–15 October 1960), contributing to the comedic ensemble in Oliver Goldsmith's classic comedy of manners. These roles exemplified the breadth of his repertory contributions, from backstage duties to character-driven parts in a season of varied theatrical styles. A highlight of Daker's time at Salisbury was his portrayal of Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams's , which ran until 21 November 1964, allowing him to tackle the intense physicality and emotional depth of the iconic role in a major dramatic work. This performance underscored his strength in portraying raw, working-class characters, a trait that defined much of his stage output. By around 1963, while still active in , Daker began transitioning toward screen work, marking the end of his primary focus on live stage performances after his tenure concluded in 1965.

Television roles

David Daker made his television debut in 1963 and quickly established himself as a versatile in British . His breakthrough came with a long-running role as PC Owen Culshaw in the long-form , where he appeared in 84 episodes across 1964 to 1978, portraying a dedicated constable navigating the challenges of in a northern English town. This role highlighted his ability to embody authoritative yet relatable figures in ensemble-driven dramas. Daker's comedic talents shone in the prison sitcom (1974–1977), where he played the scheming inmate Jarvis in a recurring capacity, contributing to the series' sharp wit and social commentary on incarceration. He brought a similar gruff charm to Tommy Mackay, a shady businessman, in the beloved comedy in 1982. One of Daker's most prominent and enduring roles was as the pragmatic ex-fireman Harry Crawford in the action-adventure series Boon (1986–1992), featuring in 93 episodes as the steadfast partner to the protagonist's troubleshooting ventures, blending drama with light-hearted camaraderie. His work in science fiction included two memorable appearances in : as the medieval warlord Irongron in the serial (1973–1974), a four-part story involving time travel and alien intrigue, and as the stern Captain Rigg in (1979), another four-part adventure dealing with interstellar smuggling and horror elements. Throughout his career, Daker maintained a steady presence in staple British soaps and procedurals, including 8 episodes of across various characters from the late 1960s to the 1980s, capturing the everyday dramas of life. He guest-starred in as a community figure in the 1980s police series, and later took on roles in medical dramas such as Casualty, a recurring part in from 2004 to 2009 as hospital staff, multiple appearances in Doctors between 2002 and 2007, and the detective series . These performances exemplified his range across genres, from tense investigations to heartfelt ensemble stories, with his television work continuing until 2009. His theatre background provided a strong foundation for his natural on-screen presence in these episodic formats.

Film roles

David Daker made his film debut in 1973, appearing in multiple supporting capacities in Lindsay Anderson's satirical epic O Lucky Man!, portraying roles such as a policeman at an accident, a man at a stag party, and Munda's manservant. That same year, he played Bob Ellis, a working-class father, in Anthony Simmons' heartfelt drama The Optimists of Nine Elms, a film centered on street performers and urban poverty in London. In the mid-1970s, Daker continued to take on character parts in British productions, including Ralph Woods, a band manager, in the rock music biopic Stardust (1974), which chronicled the rise and fall of a 1960s pop star. He followed this with the role of Bennett, a Royal Flying Corps pilot, in the World War I aviation drama Aces High (1976), directed by Jack Gold and featuring an ensemble cast led by Malcolm McDowell. One of Daker's more memorable film appearances came in 1981 as Kevin's stern father in Terry Gilliam's fantasy adventure Time Bandits, where he briefly interacted with the young protagonist amid the film's time-traveling escapades. His television prominence in series like Boon provided opportunities for occasional cinema work, though films remained secondary to his small-screen career. Daker's later film roles included the desk sergeant in the horror-comedy I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle (1990), a low-budget tale of mishaps in Birmingham. Additionally, he portrayed the Josiah Freston in the 1989 television film The Woman in Black, a gothic horror adaptation with a cinematic scope that evoked atmospheric dread in its seaside setting. Over the period from 1973 to 1990, Daker amassed approximately 10-15 film credits, predominantly in supporting roles across genres like , , and fantasy.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Daker married Stella Newton in 1957, though the duration of their marriage remains unknown and it possibly ended in separation. Due to Daker's commitment to privacy, further details about his family remain scarce in public records.

Retirement

Daker's final acting credits came in the late 2000s, marking the end of a television career that had spanned decades with roles in series such as Boon. He appeared as Bill Gibbs in the 2004 episode "A Good Day to Bury Bad News" of Holby City and as Mr. Frisby in the 2009 episode "These Foolish Things" of the same series, alongside guest spots as Eric Barbar in the 2002 Doctors episode "Him Indoors" and Jim Young in the 2007 Doctors episode "Enemy at the Door." Following these appearances, Daker retired from around 2009. In his later years, he relocated to France to enjoy . Daker turned 90 on 29 September 2025 and has since maintained a low public profile, with no further professional engagements reported as of November 2025.
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