Anecdotes

A very handy fellow, John rewired and replumbed his 17th century Cornwall farmhouse, made all the cupboards, and created a well-laid-out vegetable garden. (Source: Mail on Sunday (London), Jan. 23, 2005)

Suffered a torrent of abuse from the public before real police were called when he handed out IRA leaflets on the streets of London. He was filming a thriller but no one could see the cameras. "It was dramatic and very frightening," he said.

After a critic for the Post and Courier (Charleston, SC) savaged the production of "The Woman in Black" in which he had co-starred at the Spoleto Festival, spring 1996, John wrote a 600-word rebuttal letter, which the newspaper published on June 7. Excerpt: "There is an unspoken pact between the audience and the actors - one of suspension of disbelief for a few hours. Let us take you into our world and, if we are able, we will provide you with some harmless entertainment. ... It would seem that Ms. Furtwangler is incapable of this leap of imagination or is too jaded by her job. I've never been quite sure what that job is, but there seems to be an ever-growing school of reviewers who seem only to want to carp."

His dog Rufus played the part of Susan's dog (also Rufus) in part 5 of "The Day of the Triffids."

Youngest of five sons; father died when John was 5 years old.

Voted best television actor of the year by TV Times magazine in England for the series "To Serve Them All My Days."

His appearance at WETA's televised fund drive on Aug. 26, 1984 (PBS station in Washington, D.C.) helped attract 701 new membership pledges totaling $33,749 the highest one-night total in the 14-day pledge drive.

Met wife Mel Martin while filming Talking to Strange Men (1992). A few months later, they toured together in the 2-character play "Same Time Next Year," an experience that they've described as "sink or swim" for their relationship.

Selling his farmhouse in rural Cornwall and moving back to Yorkshire (with wife Mel Martin) to take the role of Sergeant George Miller in the ITV series "Heartbeat." (Source: Mail on Sunday (London), Jan. 23, 2005) (février 2005)

Uncle of actor Joe Duttine.

Born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England, but raised in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England.

Son Oscar (b. 1981) with girlfriend Carolyn Hutchinson. Broke up with Hutchinson in early 1990s.