Anecdotes

A singer as well as an actor, he had a number three single in the U.K. with the song "I Could Be So Good for You" in October 1980, which was the theme of Minder (1979). His duet with Minder co-star George Cole, "What Are We Gonna Get 'Er Indoors?", reached the number 21 position on the UK chart in 1983. He also sang the theme song for Flics toujours (2003).

Had an affair with actress Amanda Redman in 1983.

Mercilessly lampooned on Little Britain (2003) as a midget who keeps losing contracts by insisting on singing the theme song for the proposed show. Waterman got his revenge by making a surprise appearance in the charity presentation Comic Relief Does Little Britain: Live (2007), interrupting Walliams and Lucas performing a version of their Dennis Waterman sketch. During his appearance, Waterman gets to complain that he does not have a high voice, is not "a midget," and does not sing or write the theme tune of all his shows. To apologize, Walliams and Lucas perform one of Waterman's songs with him.

An avid fan of Chelsea Football Club, London. Ironically, as Terry McCann, his character in Minder (1979), he had to play a fan of Fulham football Club who are Chelsea's local rivals from London.

Waterman died in hospital in Spain on 8 May 2022 at the age of 74 after a two-year battle with lung cancer.

Advertised Barbour motorcycle clothing aboard a Hesketh motorcycle.

Once filmed an episode of Minder (1979) at Stamford Bridge, home of his Chelsea F.C. Unfortunately the story line meant that he was actually thrown out of the stadium!.

Waterman's father had been an amateur boxer and made all of his sons box. His older brother Ken first took Dennis boxing when he was three years old. Aged ten, Dennis joined Caius Boxing Club. Another older brother, Peter, was a welterweight boxing champion.

Became a grandfather for the 1st time at age 63 when his daughter Hannah Waterman gave birth to her son Jack Higginson in June 2011 with partner Huw Higginson.

His elder brother was boxer Peter Waterman.

Became a father for the 1st time at age 27 when his girlfriend [now 2nd ex-wife] Patricia Maynard gave birth to their daughter Hannah Elizabeth Waterman, aka Hannah Waterman, on 22 July 1975.

In 2012 he caused controversy when he admitted beating his third wife.

He had quit smoking and drinking several years before he died, after suffering from heart and leg problems.

Appeared in two small stage roles for the Royal Shakespeare Company's 1960 season.

Younger brother of Joyce (b. 1927), Vera (b. 1929), Kenneth (b. 1931), Alan (b. 1933), Peter (b. 1934), Stella (b. 1937), Norma (b. 1941) and Myra (b. 1942).

Trained at the Corona Academy, founded by Rona Knight.

Son of Harry (1906-1987) and Rosina (née Saunders) Waterman (1905-1978).

His father worked as a ticket collector for British Railways at Clapham Junction Railway Station.

Ran the Dennis Waterman XI football team.

Waterman was banned from driving for three years in January 1991, following his second drink-driving conviction in four years.

Became a father for the 2nd time at age 30 when his 2nd [now ex] wife Patricia Maynard gave birth to their daughter Julia Martha Waterman on 14 January 1979.

Made a solo record For Their Pleasure.

As a child went to America for tv series Fair Exchange.

Remained good friends with his "Sweeney" co-star, John Thaw, after the series ended, although the opportunity never arose for them to work together again. Waterman visited the terminally ill Thaw, shortly before his death.

His first solo record was For Their Pleasure.

Film debut at 11.

Trained at Corona Stage School.

Born at Clapham Common.

When 10 family moved to Putney.

Says an unusual job he had when out of work was doing a time and motion study on dustmen traveling around with them timing how long it took them to empty bins and do each street. He'd put down anything they wanted as long as they reached a pub by 11.30.

Father was a ticket collector.

His father was a railwayman.