Dursley McLinden was educated at Douglas High School and joined London's Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. I was thrilled to meet him.. Speaking to Doctor Who Magazine,Daviesdescribed the Doctor Who moment in It's A Sin as "a little smile" towards McLinden. Nick Diamond (Colin Dale) is a private detective hired by a South American midget to guard a box containing a rare treasure. It's a Sin Review: Russell T Davies AIDS Drama is a Soaring Tribute, Doctor Who: 13 Brilliant New Stories from Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat and more, Doctor Who: A History of Dalek Redesigns and Fan Reactions. Digital Spy participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Take a look Dursley McLinden previous relationships, and . What's particularly poignant about that is this scene was actually written as a tribute to someone who was there at the time. . He appeared on the West. Does Unforgotten work without Nicola Walker? Published: Wednesday, 27th January 2021 at 1:36 pm, Who is Dursley McLinden? Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. On Buzzlearn.com, Dursley is listed as a successful Actor who was born in the year of 1965. In It's A Sin episode four, Olly Alexander's character Ritchie (an aspiring actor from the Isle of Wight) is cast in a small role in Doctor Who, in which he and others face down a Dalek during a battle scene. Dursley McLinden died on August 7, 1995. It's A Sin follows a group of five close-knitfriends livingin London in the 1980s. This friend is none other than the "real" Ritchie of the series, Dursley McLinden who is loosely portrayed by Olly Alexander. TV roles included Dr Who and Mr Bean. "We had the right cameras as well," Peter tells me. While the characters and individual storylines have been created for dramatic purposes, some of the characters are inspired by real people and many of theevents inthe drama are based on real-life experiences ofDavies'friends or even Davies himself. Speaking to Doctor Who Magazine, Russell revealed that this crossover wasn't just included as some kind of joke or homage to his previous job: "It's not me going, 'Hooray, let's get a few pages in Doctor Who Magazine.' It's a Sin director Peter Hoar wondered the same, telling us, "You don't normally ask this question of Russell T Davies and [producer] Phil Collinson, but I was like, 'Have we got permission to use the Daleks?'". Read more from the interview in this months Doctor Who Magazine, and take a look here at SFX Magazines terrific 1980s homage cover. APA 6th ed. Dursley James McLinden (29 May 1965 7 August 1995) was a Manx actor whose career was mostly focused on the London stage in musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Gigi (Lyric Theatre, 1985) and Follies. I was really desperate to do it. We have a full Biography, Photos, Theatre Credits, and more! Who is Dursley McLinden dating? He played Tim Diamond in the film Just Ask for Diamond, a part perfectly suited to his lightness Of touch and comic timing. Davies had met McLinden at the 30th birthday party of mutual friend and stage actor Jill Nalder, on whom Davies based Its a Sins Jill Baker (played by Lydia West). Shortly afterwards he won a role in Derek Nimmo's production of The Man Most Likely To . He was also involved in West End Cares, the theatre arm of the AIDS charity Crusaid.He was still performing until ten weeks before his death from AIDS in 1995. ", "He became very wonderful in his AIDS activism when he was ill," Russell continues. Crucifer of Blood, To Kill a Mocking Bird and Follies. with lot of social media fan he often posts many personal photos and videos to interact with her huge fan base social media plateform. "Remember," says Ritchie, "If they get through, we lose the crystal, and if we lose that, it's the end of the world.". Thats why I knew I had to write a Dalek scene in Its A Sin. They brought their own Daleks, and they're all from different Doctor Whos.". In Channel 4 drama It's A Sin, series creator Russell T Davies pays tribute to the friends he lost to HIV/AIDS, which first reached the UK in the 1980s. Tragically, Dursley contracted HIV/AIDS seven years before his death on August 7, 1995, at age 30. It should come as no surprise hearing this that Peter is a lifelong fan of Doctor Who, just like Russell, and not only because he directed an episode himself, season six's 'A Good Man Goes to War'. It was brilliant. When he appeared in such musicals as Annie, Robert and Elizabeth, Damn Yankees and Gigi (in which he appeared in John Dexter's West End production), he showed himself to be a young performer who could not only sing and dance with charm and skill but one whose personality alone was likely to carry him through a whole succession of leading roles in English musical theatre. Dursley McLinden (29 May 1965-7 August 1995[1]) played Mike Smith in the Doctor Who television story Remembrance of the Daleks. His television roles included a 1988 appearance in Doctor Who as Sgt. As an enterprising sideline, McLinden had also developed a special skill as an entertaining and adept conjurer, a role which he usually performed for charity and which invariably drew eager volunteers to be sawn in half (his piece de resistance) at theatre garden parties. As noted in his obituary in The Independent,. For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Dursley McLinden . How It's A Sin pays tribute to the Doctor Who actor. Stories: Dursley McLinden ( 29 May 1965 - 7 August 1995 [1]) played Mike Smith in the Doctor Who television story Remembrance of the Daleks . "It's all anachronistic because as Doctor Who fans will tell you the Daleks all come from different periods. Looking for something else to watch? he made his first stage appearance at Willaston School when he was eight, and was "quite outstanding" as the dame in Dick Whittington! Alas, seven years ago McLinden fell ill. So, how much is Dursley McLinden worth at the age of 30 years old? Check out Dursley McLinden's Bio Now He appeared on the West End (including in an acclaimed production of Gigi) and in the company of The Phantom of the Opera. As noted in his obituary in The Independent, McLindens last professional performance was in The Phantom of the Opera on the night before his 30th birthday, 10 weeks before he passed away from AIDS in 1995. Doctor Who: Why Does Everyone Keep Forgetting the Daleks? Career highlights After his illness was diagnosed in 1990, he channelled his energy into raising money for West End Cares, and initiated the Smith's and Leith's restaurant cabarets. At the age of eight, McLinden made his first stage appearance at Willaston School, playing the dame in Dick Whittington. I'd never been so high in my life.". [1] Aged 16, he left his home in Douglas and trained as an actor at the Mountview Theatre School in Peckham. Decades later, Peter was thrilled to revisit the Doctor Who of yesteryear, the one that helped him when he was younger. Russell met him earlier at his friend Jill Nalder's flat, who readers might know better as the real-life inspiration behind Lydia West's Jill in It's a Sin. He was 30 years old. [2]. He was already very ill, but he was so hilarious and lovely. Along with credits in Mr Bean and the film adaptation of Just Ask For Diamond, he also appeared as RAF sergeant Mike Smith in the 1988 Doctor Who episode 'Remembrance of the Daleks'. Dursley McLinden (May 29, 1965 - August 7, 1995) was an actor who died of AIDS in London. This content is imported from Twitter. Because queer viewers need to find ways to escape reality more than most, especially those who hail from a time when this kind of representation was even more alien than the beings Doctor Who encountered. Check out our TV Guide. "We got hold of some studio floor cameras from the period, and we stuck on little logos that said 'BBC TV colour'. Some of their work includes Mr. Bean, Just Ask for Diamond, Doctor Who: Remembrance of the Daleks, Doctor Who, and Anticasanova. Dursley McLinden, was an actor from Douglas, Isle of Man. This page was last edited on 27 October 2014, at 23:01. It's A Sin location: Where is It's A Sin filmed? In Davies show, Its A Sin, a tribute for McLinden is included where main character, Richie while filming for an episode of Doctor Who, plays a character called Trooper Linden fighting Daleks. EEAAO star gives tearful speech after historic win, The best Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom deals, Russell T Davies wants Olly to be new Doctor Who, It's a Sin star talks Roscoe and Black queerness. So I hope that's what happens.". Part-inspiration for the character of Ritchie Tozer in. (Nalder is the real-life "inspiring" person who informed the character Jill, played by Lydia West), What a beautiful boy! He also made at least one appearance in feature films. In 1986. he went on the Far East tour of The Man Most Likely to with Lesley Phillips and Elizabeth Hurley, and in 1988 played a young Ben in Follies with Eartha Kitt and Daniel Massey at the Shaftesbury. It's A Sin: Who are the real characters in It's A Sin? Peter and his team built a small set "that's sort of the same and sort of not" in the "iconic" Granada studio, complete with "little, silly hats" that drew inspiration from 'Resurrection of the Daleks', a 1984 episode that Russell partly based this scene on. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. He fell ill with HIV/AIDS seven years before his death, and became involved in AIDS activism alongside his acting career, which he continued to pursue despite his illness. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Dursley McLinden was educated at Douglas High School and joined London's Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. It's A Sin: Olly Alexander plays Ritchie in It's A Sin, It's A Sin cast: Who is Nathaniel Hall?It's A, It's A Sin: It's A Sin is based on some real people and real events, HIV test: Dr Ranj shows viewers how to test for HIV 'on the spot', It's A Sin: Ritchie Tozer's character pays tribute to Dursley McLinden in episode 4. The Serpent: He was very slick What Charles Sobhraj was really like. Speaking at a press Q&A, Davies confirmed that much of It's A Sin is autobiographical or else based on people he knew, while certain characters in the It's A Sin cast are based on real-life individuals. #DW pic.twitter.com/mrdYPrrGAL. By paying tribute to the past in such a beautiful, touching way, this scene connects It's a Sin with one of the many people whose stories deserve to be celebrated in real life too. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. They were owned by individuals, some of whom were ex-Doctor Who operators Dalek operators. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi. The Douglas 7 August 1995-born Manx actor expert was arguably the world's most influential Dursley McLinden was expert, with a wide-ranging social media outreach. He died in London on the 7th August 1995, at age 30. Dursley McLinden was an actor, singer and dancer from the Isle of Man who moved to London to study acting at the age of 16. It's A Sin is streaming onAll 4now if you fancy binge-watching the emotional drama in one go. She has written about TV, film and books for Den of Geek since 2010, and for. To gain access, Russell ended up using his connections with Dalek creator Terry Nation and others too, bringing together "a ragtag bunch" from different eras of Doctor Who. An actor, singer, magician and natural-born juvenile lead which makes it all the more sad that he should have died on August 7 at the early age of 30. During his career, he appeared mostly on the London stage in musicals such as @andrewlloydwebber's @phantomlondon. . His subsequent appearances included the premiere of Arnold Wesker's One More Ride on the Merry-Go-Round at Leicester, Robert and Elizabeth at Chichester, To Kill a Mockingbird, Damn Yankees and School for Scandal at Birmingham Rep. [5], The 2021 AIDS drama It's a Sin contains a tribute to McLinden, by way of series lead Ritchie Tozer (Olly Alexander) appearing in a fictional Doctor Who story called Regression of the Daleks where he plays the character Trooper Linden. As he rightly thought, this would have been an extraordinary once-only opportunity for Londoners to see a New York show of legendary reputation. The real Ritchie: Dursley McLinden, the Doctor Who actor whose tragic end inspired It's A Sin The actor played by Olly Alexander in Russell T Davies's drama is a loving tribute to 'a golden. Crusaid. I was thrilled to meet him. Mike Smith ., touring the Middle and Far East. Just Ask For Diamond, The Diamond Brothers, Mr. Bean Firefly Lane book: Does Firefly Lane have a sequel? About Dursley McLinden is a member of the following lists: 1965 births, 1995 deaths and British actor stubs. "But to me, he was that boy from Remembrance of the Daleks. Dursley McLinden (May 1965 - August 1995 - loosely portrayed by Olly Alexander as Ritchie) was three years younger than me, and was intoxicating. The Mandalorian's Pedro Pascal on season 3, Neighbours announces seven more returning cast. I did it for Dursley. Dressed in a futuristic uniform and holding a blaster, Tozers character Trooper Linden leads a team defending an under-attack space station. There's long been a curious intersection between Doctor Who fans and the LGBTQ+ community, decades before Russell came along and made the show's queer subtext more apparent. Shazam! Dursley McLinden, actor, dancer and singer: born Douglas, Isle of Man 29 May 1965; died London 7 August 1995. His work in repertory included Crucifer of Blood in Ipswich, To Kill a Mocking Bird and Damn Yankees in Birmingham, and Robert and Elizabeth at the Chichester Festival Theatre. What made It's a Sin's ending reveal so powerful, More tickets released for It's a Sin star's play, Bridgerton and It's a Sin stars for new C4 comedy, Doctor Who adds EastEnders and It's A Sin stars, It's a Sin star reflects on the show's legacy, Omari Douglas on possibly starring in Doctor Who, The Crown star in first look at new drama, It's a Sin star teases The Witcher spin-off, Heartstopper stars join Channel 4 Pride event, It's a Sin was originally a Queer as Folk prequel, It's a Sin boss reveals ideas for planned sequel, It's a Sin director Peter Hoar reveals how *that* Doctor Who scene came to life, DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK. Birth date: I went to Jill's 30th and there he was. AlthoughRitchieis not based on one specific person, part of his character's storyline in season four is a tribute to a real person. It's a little smile towards Dursley, who I loved. He appeared in the title role in the 1988 film Just Ask for Diamond. I was just in heaven. Dursley McLinden was an actor, singer, and dancer. For the past four years he was a regular member of the company of The Phantom of the Opera, in which he served in a variety of roles, sometimes as understudy, sometimes in the chorus and occasionally, when there was an opportunity and he was fit enough, playing the supporting role of Raoul. MLA 7th ed. We have no records of past relationships for Dursley McLinden. On-screen, he appeared in the film adaptation Just Ask For Diamond, Mr Bean, Freddie and Max, and as RAF sergeant Mike Smith in the 1988 Doctor Who episode Remembrance of the Daleks. *Warning: spoilers ahead for It's A Sin episode four*. Unfortunately, the casting of Ritchie in Doctor Who ledhimto bediagnosed with AIDS, after the show's make up expert noticed something was "wrong" with his skin. Dursley James McLinden (29 May 1965 7 August 1995) was a Manx actor whose career was mostly focused on the London stage in musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Gigi (Lyric Theatre, 1985) and Follies. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. Main jobs: That's why I knew I had to write a Dalek scene in It's a Sin.". IMDb profile. Years and Years star Olly Alexander plays the role of Ritchie Tozer in the series and viewers are . He moved from Isle of Man to London when he was 16 to train as an actor at the Mountview Theatre School. Dursley Mclinden - Check out Dursley Mclinden filmography, biography and awards at MSN Watch Online Guide. A whole generation of queer people was lost to us in the blink of an eye, which is precisely why It's a Sin and other stories like it need to be told time and time again, ad infinitum. ", "Obviously, I became a part of Doctor Who," Peter continues. He is from . 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