LogoNNN
The Norfolk and Norwich Christian community website

From TV cop to Norwich pantomime villain

2012: From being one of Britain's best-loved TV cops to a scary pantomime villain – that's all in the life of actor Graham Cole who stars in Aladdin at the Theatre Royal in Norwich this Christmas. Mike Wiltshire reports.

 
GrahamColeAbanazer415For nearly 25 years, 6ft 2in Graham Cole played the all-round good guy as PC Tony Stamp in the hit TV drama, The Bill.
 
While on screen for more than two decades, Graham won praise for his carefully crafted portrayal of dependable PC Tony Stamp at Sun Hill Police Station. Off-screen, he worked tirelessly with the real police to make sure he kept up-to-date with frontline officers.
 
An actor since the age of 22, Graham and his wife, Cherry have a special love for Norfolk and their dream is to move house from Kent to Wroxham.
 
Amid all the buzz and glitz of showbusiness, Graham is a man of faith who has worked  hard as a 'celebrity ambassador' for decades to support children's charities, such as Childline, working with the show business charity, the Grand Order of Water Rats that does a lot to help children in need.
 
Born in Harlow, Graham was deeply moved as a teenager by the famous US evangelist Dr Billy Graham - and he made a life-time commitment 'to follow Christ' at one of Billy's London meetings at Earl's Court in 1966.
 
While Graham has seen national success in show business, there have been hard times, too: "my faith and the support of my church and family helped me to keep upbeat," he says. 
 
"I firmly believe that Jesus is with me and He influences every decision I make.  And the way I choose to live my life is a reflection of what He means to me. It really matters how you treat people, especially those who don't seem particularly nice on the outside."
 
Graham began his acting career working in summer season holiday camps. His TV break came as an extra playing monsters, in very uncomfortable costumes, in Doctor Who.
 
GrahamColeBook400Later, his skill at stage fighting and fast car driving won him work as an extra on ITV's The Bill and it wasn't long before his acting talents won him a full-time job on what became Britain's favourite police drama.
 
In his early years he first met Cherry, his 'beautiful knock-out' wife-to-be when Cherry was a teenage model for swimsuits at a holiday camp.
 
"Cherry has always been the only woman for me," he says. "In the words of Princess Diana, she has been my rock and helped me to stay sane in a rewarding but insane profession."
 
Today, Graham and Cherry have two grown-up children, Matthew and Laura.
 
Graham has told his story in a witty and candid memoir, called "On the Beat". He loves the festive fun of pantomime, and is delighted to be playing the villainous role of Abanazer in Aladdin at the Theatre Royal in Norwich from December 18 to January 19.
 
He is "specially thrilled" to be back in East Anglia – an area he has grown to love – and where he and Cherry hope soon to set up their new home.
 
Pictured is Graham Cole as the villainous Abanazer in Aladdin.

11104 views
To submit a story or to publicise an event please email: web@networknorwich.co.uk