A History Of Liverpool Thespians - Philip Whitchurch

Philip Whitchurch was born on the 30th of January 1951 in Liverpool. He began doing theatre back in the 1970s through a strange route before drifting into Television and film, although theatre remains his first love. His first job was in Sunderland and he picked up that accent pretty quickly. Although his native accent is from Liverpool, he has found he can get his mouth around most regional accents, e.g. Geordie, Birmingham, Lancashire and Manchester. His first TV role was in 'Gaskin' (1983) playing Mr. Gaskin the father of Graham (Paul McGann). The following year he was in 3 episodes of Coronation Street as Dick Lewis, a decorator a part which led to him appearing in the role of Cyril McGregor in all twenty-six episodes of the soap spin-off, 'The Brothers McGregor' (1985-88). In between he was the caretaker with the nickname 'Castanets' in 'Scully' (1984) and in 8 episodes of 'The Practice' (1985) as Des Quinn. More TV roles followed and he was the voice of the Sergeant Major in 5 episodes of 'The She People' (1987-91) and in 'Little Sir Nicholas' (1990), then as Inspector Jack Wilson in 4 episodes of 'Waterfront Beat' (1990), a police series set in the Liverpool docks. There followed Alan Bleasdale's G.B.H. (1991) in which he played the elder brother and chaffeur of the main character Michael Murray played by Robert Lindsay, the hard-left Labour leader of a city council in the North of England. It was also in 1990 that he was cast as a character in 'The Bill' (1990-1995) that few will forget. As Chief Inspector Philip Cato, the man they called 'the bald-headed bastard from Barton Street', he didn't suffer fools gladly, especially those who he perceived as being unsympathetic to his methods. His strokes were legendary - as were the grudges against police officers he thought had worked against him. He was confrontational both on the street with suspects and in the station with Sun Hill officers.

as Philip Cato in The Bill

Next he was approached by Director Tom Clegg, while shopping in Sainsbury's, to appear in the 'Sharpe' series (1994-1997) in a part equally as popular as his character in 'The Bill'. Eager to be involved, he invoked a 6 week absence of leave clause in his contract with 'The Bill' to enable this to happen. As William Frederickson, nicknamed 'Sweet William' by his men, he was a captain of the 60th Royal American Rifles. At some point, Frederickson suffered serious facial wounds which destroyed his left eye, tore away most of his right ear, and knocked out several teeth. When fighting, he takes out his false teeth, and removes his wig and eye patch, to terrifying effect. More TV work followed, notably in TV Mini series such as 'Plotlands' (1997), 'Rocket Man' (2005), and as Tyler in 6 series of 'My Hero' (2001-06), a comic fantasy about a bewildered space alien who doubles as an Earth superhero. On a medical theme he also appeared in 4 episodes of 'Casualty' (1989-2009), 7 episodes of 'Holby City' (2004-19) and 4 episodes of 'Doctors' (2003-2020).

as 'Sweet William' in Sharpe

His film credits include playing the Fisherman in 'Beowulf & Grendel' (2005), Carlin in 'Three Blind Mice' (2003), Woodberry in 'Wondrous Oblivion' (2003), Black Dog in 'Treasure Island' 1999), Drago in 'Shot Through The Heart' (1998), Corporal Dade in 'The English Patient' (1996), and Blackner in 'Blue Ice' (1992).
On stage he's played Jack (Billy’s father) in Elton John's West End in stage adaptation of 'Billy Elliot' from the 5th of December 2005 until the 2nd of December 2006. He returned to the role from the 2nd of June 2008 until the 29th of November 2008, and played the role on Broadway from the 29th of January 2010 until the 2nd of May 2010, stepping in for original cast member and Tony Award winner Gregory Jbara. He has also played Eddie Carbone in 'View From The Bridge' (Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Shalimov in 'Summerfolk', Vasques in 'Tis Pity She’s A Whore' (Young Vic Theatre), Inspector Goole in 'An Inspector Calls' (The Garrick Theatre), Walsh in 'The Changing Room' (Royal Court Theatre), and Talthybius in 'Women Of Troy' (National Theatre). In 2016, he was cast as the Duke of Gloucester in the Talawa Theatre Company and Royal Exchange, Manchester's co-production of King Lear'.
In his voice over work he is probably best known for voicing all the characters in the BAFTA nominated cartoon series, 'The Shoe People' (1987-91) and narrated a piece for BT Sport’s coverage of Everton & Liverpool FCs long rivalry building up to a showdown game. Other voice work includes commercials for McDonald's, Fiat Punto, Thomas The Tank Engine, and Tomy Toys, and ADR/dubbing for the BBC2.
Philip is also an accomplished playwright, and in 2014 he came to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival not only to present a play, but to appear in it too, alongside his wife Sally Edwards, who he married 22 years earlier, in 'Shakespeare, His Wife And The Dog’ which garnered great reviews. He said, "I’ve always written. My first commissioned play was at the Liverpool Everyman back in 1984. Since then I’ve had my plays performed at various theatres in the UK including a soul musical, 'In The Midnight Hour'. I like telling stories and that's what actors and writers try to do. This is the first time I’ve ever performed in my own work and I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy it but I’ve had a great time!"

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2024/04/a-history-of-liverpool-thespians-nick.html