Actor

1935-09-29 · United Kingdom · Male

22 series in the catalog

Colin David Daker (29 September 1935 – 30 April 2026) was an English actor. He had a regular role as Harry Crawford in 93 episodes of the series Boon from 1986 to 1995.

Other credits include Coronation Street (1968–1985), Z Cars (1967–1977), Dixon of Dock Green (1969–1972), Villains (1972), Doctor Who (1973, 1979), Stardust (1974), Play for Today (1975–1984), Time Bandits (1981), Dick Turpin (1979–1982), Minder (1980–1985), Moonfleet (1984), Hallelujah! (1984), I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle (1990), The Woman in Black (1989), and Crown Prosecutor (1995).

Early life and education

Colin David Daker, the youngest of five children, was born in Bilston, then in Staffordshire, on 29 September 1935 to Elijah Daker, a shoe factory worker and his wife Olive (née Cutler). He attended the local Etheridge Secondary Modern School (now called Moseley Park School).

Career

On leaving school, Daker initially trained as a draughtsman, but left after two years. Shortly afterwards, he joined the Oxford Playhouse Theatre School, before undertaking national service in the RAF. In 1957, he joined Oldham Rep as a stage manager, actor and director.

Between 1986 and 1995 Daker appeared in Boon as Harry Crawford, the entrepreneurial friend of the show's titular protagonist and fellow former firefighter Ken Boon (Michael Elphick); alongside his co-star, he appeared in all 93 episodes of the series.

Daker appeared in a number of television series, including All Creatures Great and Small, Minder, Heartbeat, When the Boat Comes In, Thriller, Juliet Bravo, Hazell, The Main Chance, Dangerfield, The Gentle Touch, Midsomer Murders, Sorry!, The Bill and Rising Damp. Daker made notable appearances as Tommy Mackay in Only Fools and Horses and Jarvis in Porridge. He appeared twice in Doctor Who, playing Irongron in The Time Warrior (1973–74) and Captain Rigg in Nightmare of Eden (1979).

In 2003, Daker returned to Doctor Who playing the part of Gilbrook in the Big Finish audio story Creatures of Beauty, replacing Clive Swift in the role after Swift pulled out due to an illness in his family. He played the recurring role of Captain Nathan Spiker in Dick Turpin, and appeared in the second series of Hallelujah! as Brother Benjamin. Daker appeared in two roles in Coronation Street: as Basil Griffin between 1968 and 1969, and Gordon Lewis, the unpopular relief manager of the Rovers Return on three stints between 1981 and 1985.

In film, Daker played young Kevin's father in Time Bandits (1981) and the desk sergeant in I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle (1990).

Personal life and death

Daker married Stella Newton in 1957. They had one son and one daughter. Daker and Newton later divorced and he married Hilary Voisey in 1998; they had a daughter. He died on 30 April 2026, aged 90.