Although he was a RADA-trained actor (where he was roommates with John Hurt and Ian MacShane) with a 40-year career on the stage, Paul Darrow will forever be remembered as Avon in Blake’s 7. Making his debut in the show’s second episode, he became the program’s focus following the departure of Blake (Gareth Thomas) at the end of the second season. Indeed, it was Darrow’s face that provided the last shot of the show: he kills a returning Blake only to be (presumably) shot off-camera by Federation troops.
Darrow became the show’s face on the convention circuit, providing the voice for Avon in radio adaptations and even writing a novelisation of the series. He suffered health issues in recent years, with both legs amputated back in 2014 due to an aneurysm. An appearance on Pointless Celebrities at the arse-end of 2018 gave a number of our players the scouting opportunity they needed to cash in.
Paul Darrow
2 May 1941 – 3 June 2019
Died aged 78 (four hits)