Lee Whitlock, who portrayed the lead role of Billy Barr in the British television series Grange Hill, has died at the age of 54. Let’s take a look at the particulars surrounding the actor’s untimely demise.
How did Lee Whitlock die?
On February 17, 2023, Lee Whitlock, a star of Grange Hill, died away. Saddened by the death of our client Lee Whitlock,” his former talent agency Urban Collective said in a statement confirming the tragic news.
“Lee was a fantastic protagonist and an outstanding performer who left behind a body of work that was both courageous and innovative for its time. We send our deepest condolences to Lee’s loved ones, who will miss his infectious sense of humour, sunny disposition, and overall joy to be around. RIP.”
The news was so devastating that fans took to social media to express their sorrow. The Two of Us was a landmark and critically essential piece of work for the LGBTQ+ community, and he left quite an impact on me. An impressive heritage. My deepest condolences to his loved ones and my warmest regards to everyone.
Source: NBC
When did Lee Whitlock die, and who was he?
Born on April 17, 1968 in Hammersmith, London, England, UK, Lee was a British television and cinema anchor. He played the role of Bevis Loveday in the classic British sitcom Grange Hill.
Even after leaving The Merry Wives of Windsor, Whitlock was seen on shows like “Shine on Harvey Moon,” “Coronation Street,” “EastEnders,” and “The Young and the Restless.”
Whitlock made his first appearance on television in an installment of the 1980 BBC series The Delicate Touch when he was just 12 years old.
He played Stanley Moon, Harvey Moon’s son, in Shine on Harvey Moon and Robin to Falstaff’s Bard in The Merry Wives of Windsor both in 1982.
As of 1983, he had already made an appearance on the soap series Dramarama. A British film produced by David Leland and starring him made its short debut in 1987 under the title Wish You Were Here.
In the latter part of that year, he came into the spotlight in the BBC thriller “Two of Us,” which followed a young homosexual couple.
Next year, he was cast alongside Coronation Street’s Chris Gascoyne in Central Television’s Starting Out, a show aimed squarely at elementary and middle school students.
In 1989, Whitlock played Sydney Chaplin, which became his most well-known role. Acting as Charlie Chaplin’s older half-brother, he appeared in Bazz Taylor’s television drama Young Charlie Chaplin.
Besides Split Ends and EastEnders, he was also in Lovejoy, Soldier Soldier, Boon, Grange Hill, A Bit of Snow, The Detectives, Silent Witness, McCallum, Casualty, London’s Burning, and The Bill.
He appeared alongside Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter as a police detective in 2007’s Sweeney Todd: The Wicked Barber of Fleet Street.
In the Flowered Up music video for “Weekender,” produced by W.I.Z. in 1992, Whitlock portrayed the role of Little Joe. In 1993, Whitlock appeared on four BBC children’s soap series Grange Hill episodes as Ben Levis.
Lee Whitlock died from the complications of multiple illnesses he had endured over the span of his existence.
Lee, a native of Hammersmith, West London, reportedly passed away on February 17, several days before his demise was officially revealed.
His management verified on Monday that Lee had passed away the previous Friday. But the investigation into what killed him is still ongoing. As soon as the death news spread, fans began paying homage to the well-known performer on the website.
Read Also: Richard Belzer Dies at 78. Who was Richard Belzer?
