He rose to fame in 1986 as adulterous businessman Bob in the comedy film "Rita, Sue and Bob Too". He has since starred or featured in many television productions, including "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" (providing mellifluous Peter Lorre-type villainy) "Kavanagh QC", "Coogan's Run", "Connie", "A Touch of Frost", "Inspector Morse", "Murder Most Horrid", "So Haunt Me", "London's Burning", "The Bill", "Holby City", "The Long Firm", "City Central", "Vera", "Dalziel and Pascoe", "The Ruth Rendell Mysteries", "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries", "The Beiderbecke Connection", "New Tricks", Linda Green and "Casualty". His film work includes "Calendar Girls" and "Shirley Valentine".