Jeff Rawle
Jeffrey Alan Rawle (born 20 July 1951) is an English actor. He is known for portraying George Dent in the news-gathering sitcom "Drop the Dead Donkey". He also portrayed Silas Blissett in "Hollyoaks" from December 2010 until 2012. Rawle returned to "Hollyoaks" in 2016 and 2020. Early life. Rawle was born on 20 July 1951 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. His first secondary school was King Edward VI School in Aston, Birmingham. When he was 15 his family moved to Sheffield, and it was at High Storrs Grammar School that he first became interested in drama when he  appeared in school plays. He worked at the Sheffield Playhouse before training at LAMDA. Career. Rawle landed his first major role in 1973 as Billy in the television version of Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall's "Billy Liar". In 1979, he appeared with Ian McKellen and Tom Bell in "Bent" at the Criterion Theatre, London. In 1984, he appeared in the "Doctor Who" story "Frontios" as the character Plantaganet. He appeared in "Faith in the Future" on ITV from 1995 to 1998. In 2004, Rawle began appearing in the ITV series "Doc Martin" as Roger Fenn. The actor went on  to make a guest appearance in the fourth episode of the fourth series of "New Tricks" as lawyer Jonathan Blunt. The following year, he starred in the fourth series of "Spooks" as the Home Secretary. He also appeared in "Ultimate Force" – "Never Go Back" alongside Ross Kemp. Rawle portrayed Amos Diggory, father to Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson), in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire". 2008 saw Rawle play Gilbert Murray in the National Theatre's production of Tony Harrison's play "Fram". The following year, he guested in "The Bill" and appeared in "The Sarah Jane Adventures" on CBBC . During 2010, Rawle joined the cast of "Hollyoaks" in the role of Silas Blissett. He stated that he was delighted to be playing such a sinister character. He has won various awards for his portrayal of Silas. In October 2012, it was announced Rawle had joined the cast of "Doctors" as Rory Bishton, .a road sweeper with something to hide. Rawle made his screen debut as Rory in early 2013. He had previously appeared in the series in 2004. Rawle has provided numerous narrations including "A Bear Called Paddington", three series of the Duchess of York's "Budgie the Little  Helicopter", Stephen Hawking's "Universe" and Tom Fort's "The Grass is Always Greener" for BBC Radio 4. Rawle's writing credits include "The Young Poisoner's Handbook" in 1995 and "Who Goes There?"