Sad to report that Gareth Thomas, best known to cult TV fans as Roj Blake in Blake' s 7 has died aged 71.
Amongst his many roles, he also appeared in the Anglo-German sci fi series Star Maidens, and the fantasy serial, Children of The Stones. He also played a labourer working at Hobbs Lane Underground station in Hammer's film production of Quatermass and The Pit.
Our sincere condolences to his family.
A nice tribute Scoop. Another sad loss. RIP Gareth.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we are certainly losing a few memorable folk this year, and we're only in the first quarter! : (
DeleteI am shocked by this. I met him a few times, he was a really great actor, Blake had little mannerisms none of which were Gareth Thomas'. I'm really saddened by this.
ReplyDeleteI know you're a big Blake fan Kev. A great shame, and at 71, not that old. It's certainly a bolt from the blue!
DeleteI agree, a sad loss. What a fabulous career, one of my favourite Kids' TV series, Stones and Hammer Film the Pit. RIP Gareth.
ReplyDeleteYeah, he was in quite a few of our favourite cult series, Woodsy.Very sad.
DeleteMet him at a con in Leicester (I think) . Spoke to him for around 20 minutes about Public Eye of all things. He played a car dealer in an episode called 'Transatlantic Cousins' in 1971 and told me that when he was asked back a year later when his career was taking off. He made a point of thanking the producer for giving him an early break. The producer Michael Chapman said he was glad that Gareth'so career was going well but they had only asked him back to play the same part again!
ReplyDeleteNice memory of the man, Andy, and reminding him of an early part in his TV career rather than the usual Blake's 7 questions is always good. Didn't he turn up at a Cult TV in Torquay too. I seem to remember he was the loudest bloke in the bar : D
DeleteFor some reason I think that was the Wolf 359 convention in Blackpool, but don't ask me why Roj Blake had to do with Babylon 5! I do remember him holding court with a pint in his hand and a grin on his face.
ReplyDeleteI remember him turning up at Wolf 359, I wonder if it was because MJS was influenced by Blake's 7 and Gareth wasn't going to turn down a few free pints ; )
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