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Jimmy Ellis: Belfast-born Z-Cars actor dies aged 82 Jimmy Ellis: Belfast-born Z-Cars actor dies aged 82
(35 minutes later)
The Belfast-born actor Jimmy Ellis, best known for his roles in Z-Cars and alongside a young Kenneth Branagh in BBC Northern Ireland's series of "Billy" plays, has died.The Belfast-born actor Jimmy Ellis, best known for his roles in Z-Cars and alongside a young Kenneth Branagh in BBC Northern Ireland's series of "Billy" plays, has died.
Mr Ellis died from a stroke in Lincoln Hospital early on Saturday. He was 82.Mr Ellis died from a stroke in Lincoln Hospital early on Saturday. He was 82.
He began his acting career in 1952 at Belfast's Group Theatre before moving to England in the early 1960s.He began his acting career in 1952 at Belfast's Group Theatre before moving to England in the early 1960s.
His first big break came when he was cast as Bert Lynch in police drama Z-Cars, which ran from 1962 to 1978.His first big break came when he was cast as Bert Lynch in police drama Z-Cars, which ran from 1962 to 1978.
James Ellis was born in Belfast on 15 March 1931.James Ellis was born in Belfast on 15 March 1931.
He studied at the city's Methodist College and Queen's University, and then the Bristol Old Vic.He studied at the city's Methodist College and Queen's University, and then the Bristol Old Vic.
He soon graduated to leading man after joining the Group Theatre.He soon graduated to leading man after joining the Group Theatre.
After starring in such plays as The Playboy of the Western World, he was appointed director of productions at the theatre in 1959.After starring in such plays as The Playboy of the Western World, he was appointed director of productions at the theatre in 1959.
Authentic voiceAuthentic voice
However, he resigned shortly afterwards to direct and stage Sam Thompson's play Over The Bridge in 1960, which the Group Theatre's board had deemed too controversial.However, he resigned shortly afterwards to direct and stage Sam Thompson's play Over The Bridge in 1960, which the Group Theatre's board had deemed too controversial.
Aside from Z-Cars, a police drama set on Merseyside, he starred in some of the UK's best-known and much-loved programmes, including Doctor Who, In Sickness And In Health, Ballykissangel and Only Fools And Horses.Aside from Z-Cars, a police drama set on Merseyside, he starred in some of the UK's best-known and much-loved programmes, including Doctor Who, In Sickness And In Health, Ballykissangel and Only Fools And Horses.
He returned home in 1982 to star as the bullying father Norman Martin in Too Soon To Talk To Billy, the first of a trio of Graham Reid plays that exposed a national audience to the authentic voice of working-class Ulster Protestants for the first time.He returned home in 1982 to star as the bullying father Norman Martin in Too Soon To Talk To Billy, the first of a trio of Graham Reid plays that exposed a national audience to the authentic voice of working-class Ulster Protestants for the first time.
Sir Kenneth Branagh, who was just out of drama school, played his son Billy, and the pair later reprised their partnership in A Matter Of Choice For Billy and A Coming To Terms For Billy.Sir Kenneth Branagh, who was just out of drama school, played his son Billy, and the pair later reprised their partnership in A Matter Of Choice For Billy and A Coming To Terms For Billy.
Mr Ellis was awarded an honorary doctorate from Queen's University in 2008 for services to the performing arts.Mr Ellis was awarded an honorary doctorate from Queen's University in 2008 for services to the performing arts.
Away from the acting profession, he was also a writer of poems and prose.Away from the acting profession, he was also a writer of poems and prose.
Although he had lived in England for decades, his family has said that, in line with his wishes, he will be buried in his home city.