The entertainment world mourns the loss of David Andrews, a distinguished actor and director whose remarkable career in theatre, film, and television spanned an impressive six decades. He passed away at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy that includes directing more than 100 episodes of the popular Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks for Mersey Television.
A Versatile Performer on Stage and Screen
As an actor, David Andrews made significant contributions to British culture. He performed multiple roles in the BBC's landmark 1958 television series An Age of Kings, a production that brought Shakespeare's history plays to a wide audience. In 1959, he originated the role of Private Whittaker in The Long and the Short and the Tall at the Royal Court theatre, sharing the stage with the legendary Peter O'Toole. His filmography includes notable works such as Some People (1962), featuring Kenneth More, and A Place to Go (1963), starring Rita Tushingham.
Transition to Directing and Award-Winning Work
Drawn to the technical aspects of production, Andrews retrained on the BBC directors' course in 1965. He initially worked for the Central Office of Information, directing recruitment films for the armed forces. His directing career flourished with projects like Bubble Boy (1983) and Stookie (1985) for Scottish Television (STV), both of which earned silver medals at the prestigious New York International Film and Television Festival.
A Lifelong Connection to Scotland
Andrews had a deep affection for Scotland, stemming from part of his early childhood spent in Pitlochry, Perthshire. This connection led him to take up a senior directing role at STV in 1979, where he settled in Fairlie, Ayrshire, for much of his life. After leaving STV in 1989, he worked as a freelance director, acquiring credits on well-known British TV series such as Grange Hill, EastEnders, Jupiter Moon, The Biz, and Strathblair.
Prolific Period with Mersey Television
From 1996 onwards, Andrews spent nearly a decade at Mersey Television, where he directed numerous episodes of Hollyoaks and Brookside. His work on Hollyoaks alone involved directing over 100 episodes, significantly shaping the show's visual style and narrative pacing during a key period in its history.
Early Life and Training
Born in Sanderstead, Surrey, David Andrews was the son of Reginald, an accountant, and Freda (née Stewart). He was educated at Whitgift School in Croydon, which was evacuated to Devon during the Second World War. After completing national service with the RAF as a radio operator in Merseyside, he pursued his passion for acting by training at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. There, he graduated in 1955 with the school's gold medal, having studied alongside contemporaries such as Judi Dench.
Retirement and Personal Life
In retirement from 2005, Andrews remained active in the arts, taking on cameo roles on television and occasional voice parts. He was a regular cinema-goer and formed a folk band called Hazy Days (and Nights!), which performed primarily in pubs around Glasgow. On a personal note, he was married and divorced twice—first to Tamara Hinchco and then to Anne Vels. He is survived by five children: Bronwen and Rowan from his first marriage, and James, Katherine, and the author of this obituary from his second, along with 11 grandchildren.
David Andrews' career exemplifies the breadth and depth of talent in British performing arts, from classical theatre to contemporary television, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
