Torchwood star dies as Russell T Davies leads tributes to iconic star

15 April 2023 , 16:35

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Murray Melvin, as Bilis Manger in Torchwood, has died aged 90 (Image: BBC)

Torchwood star Murray Melvin has died aged 90, with Russell T Davies among those paying tribute.

As well as the Doctor Who spinoff, the actor was also known for starring in the 2004 film adaption of Phantom of the Opera as Monsieur Reyer.

Doctor Who boss Russel T Davies paid tribute to the legendary actor, writing: "Murray Melvin, bless him, he played the wonderful villain in Torchwood, Bilis Manger, and he loved it! But what a career!

"He created the great, gay Geoffrey in A Taste of Honey, on stage and on film. Tons of work with Joan Littlewood and Ken Russell. Amazing. Such a gent.

"He lived through a century that saw the understanding of his identity change so profoundly, and he did so with dignity, class and wit."

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Murray Melvin as Bilis Manger in Torchwood (BBC)

Murray was born August 10, 1932 in London and is most recognised for A Taste of Honey in 1961, Barry Lyndon in 1975 and The Phantom of the Opera film, in 2004.

He wrote two books on his craft, The Theatre Royal, A History of the Building, and The Art of Theatre Workshop.

During his career, he worked with acclaimed names such as Joan Littlewood, Stanley Kubrick and Ken Russell.

Fans have paid tribute to Murray's incredible career and range of roles.

Murray as Monsieur Reyer in 2004’s adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera (Warner Bros.)

One wrote on Twitter: "Murray Melvin died yesterday. He's probably best known for his work in Barry Lyndon and The Devils.

"But his role in Tony Richardson's Taste of Honey was genuinely ground-breaking and beautiful in providing a real human portrait of a gay man. Watch the film if you haven't already."

Another wrote: "Oh, I’m sad to hear Murray Melvin has died. I met him once and he had such a beautiful soul. A terrific actor."

A third said: "The great Murray Melvin. A brilliant performer and a passionate political animal.

Murray with Barbara Windsor and May of Newham Robin Andrew Wales as they campaigned for a Joan Littlewood statue in Stratford, in 2013 (London News Pictures/REX/Shutterstock)

"Adored by everyone who knew him. There are very few true gentlemen in the world. Murray was one."

Writer and broadcaster Matthew Sweet penned: "Icon, gentleman. RIP Murray Melvin, actor, archivist, fragment of the pre-Baroque, Geoff from Salford. Utterly unique."

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Theatre Stratford East said they were "deeply saddened" to hear of Murray's death, describing him as a huge part of the venue.

The theatre's Twitter account wrote: "From 1957, he was a member of Joan Littlewood’s company Theatre Workshop where he acted in numerous roles, including in A Taste of Honey and Oh What a Lovely War.

Murray Melvin in The Devils (Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

Murray at a reunion for The Devils in memory of director Ken Russell, in 2012 (WireImage)

"Murray continued to be a passionate advocate of our theatre, he was on the Board for 20 years, and dedicated much of his time in the last 30 years to the development and organisation of a rich theatre archive, which he painstakingly completed in early 2020."

The tribute finished: "He will be greatly missed, although never forgotten."

Katherine Heslop