1990
John began this year with a well-earned break, taking from January to May off work. The increase from three to four episodes in each series of Inspector Morse had meant a heavier filming schedule, and he felt the need to rest. However, he quickly became bored and found it difficult not working. A more positive outcome of this time off was the opportunity for a holiday with Sheila and their daughters.
Series four of Inspector Morse, filmed the previous year, was broadcast in January, with “The Infernal Serpent” on 3 January, followed by “The Sins of the Fathers”, “Driven to Distraction”, and one of John’s personal favourites, “Masonic Mysteries”; which was broadcast on 24 January 1990.
Viewers were also watching John as Henry Willows in Home to Roost, with the final episode broadcast on 19 January.
In March, John received his first BAFTA Television Award; voted Best Actor for Inspector Morse for the previous year.
As Sheila acknowledges, John “was fighting profound depression” this year (p. 217). The couple were temporarily living apart once more when John took part in BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. The eight records he chose to have with him as a desert island castaway were all of significance for himself and Sheila. The radio programme was broadcast on Sunday 7 October.
A highlight for John was the chance to visit his brother Ray and family in Brisbane, which he was able to do before filming started for the Inspector Morse episode “Promised Land”, which sees Morse and Lewis visit Australia to track down a previous witness. The episode was the last of the fifth series, this time including five episodes.
1991
Series Five of Inspector Morse aired between 20 February and 27 March, with episodes, “Second Time Around”, “Fat Chance”, “Who Killed Harry Field?”, “Greeks Bearing Gifts” and “Promised Land”. John received a further BAFTA nomination for Best Actor for the previous series.
Series Six of Inspector Morse was filmed in the summer, and included another overseas venture, this time to Italy to film the episode “The Death of the Self.” Before it was filmed, John and Sheila had the opportunity for a holiday to Provence, falling in love with the area. The comparative anonymity John enjoyed here gave him the respite he craved, and the couple bought a house in a quiet hameau in the area.
Back in the UK, John’s next project was a television mini-series based on Kingsley Amis’s novel Stanley and the Women, produced by Ted Childs and Chris Burt. He had agreed to the role since it offered a drastic change from Inspector Morse.
Timed to coincide with the upcoming broadcast of Stanley and the Women, The British Film Institute’s Television unit held a celebration of John’s work, showing a selection of his programmes from the previous three decades, screened at the Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) on the South Bank. The showcase, “John Thaw: A Fair Cop” ran on Tuesday evenings from 3 September to 1 October, plus screenings of his films The Grass is Singing and Business As Usual. John attended a screening on 1 October.
Stanley and the Women was televised between 28 November and 19 December 1991. However, the series was not as successful as expected. Despite efforts to soften the book’s characters, Sheila notes, it “could not hide its misogynist theme” (p. 222).
1992
John once again accepted a role in a film directed by Richard Attenborough. This time, he appeared as Fred Karno in the biographical Chaplin. The character of the jovial businessman was far removed from that of Chief Inspector Morse, offering John a chance to demonstrate his versatility. Filming started early this year. The film was released on 17 December in the UK, and 25 December in the United States.
Credit: Everett Collection Inc / Alamy Stock Photo
The sixth series of Inspector Morse was broadcast from 26 February 1992 to 15 April, with the episodes “Dead on Time”, “Happy Families”, “The Death of the Self”, “Absolute Conviction”, and “Cherubim and Seraphim”. John was once again nominated for a BAFTA based on the previous series.
By now, John and Kevin had discussed bringing Inspector Morse to an end, and it was agreed that the seventh series of three episodes would be the last.
John was also making changes in his personal life. He and Sheila decided to sell their home in Chiswick; and bought a house in the peaceful Wiltshire village of Luckington, plus a flat in London. John was still suffering with depression and erratic moods.
John also went to France to film the BBC television series A Year in Provence, which was adapted from Peter Mayle’s bestselling memoirs of his life there. With Sheila originally set to play the role of Mayle’s wife, the couple had hoped to spend time relaxing at their French home between filming. However, not only was Sheila dropped from the role, but the filming schedule turned out to be much heavier than anticipated. John found himself working long hours for six days a week.
1993
John Thaw was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s New Year Honours List. He collected his CBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 16 March this year. He said he was chuffed to receive it.
Series Seven of Inspector Morse aired this January, with “Deadly Slumber”, “The Day of the Devil”, and the finale, “Twilight of the Gods”. A fifty-minute documentary about the series was broadcast on 17 January to mark the end of the series. It had been filmed during the filming of the final episode and included interviews with John and Kevin.
Following BAFTA nominations in the previous two years, John was once again voted the winner of the award for Best Actor in a television series, for the previous series of Inspector Morse. The ceremony was held on 21 March.
Emma Thompson, winner of Best Actress for “Howards End” and John Thaw at the 1993 BAFTA Awards.
A Year in Provence was broadcast from 28 February until May. Sadly, audience viewing figures dropped off. Not only was it given a difficult time slot against rival programmes, but the series came up for criticism from reviewers. John was deeply disappointed with the reception of the series. Nonetheless, this gentle comedy was appreciated far more in the United States and with later viewers of the VHS and DVD releases.
John decided to take a break from television, accepting a stage role for his next project. This was the part of MP George Jones in David Hare’s political play, The Absence of War, which was to be performed at the vast Olivier Theatre in London. In The Two of Us, Sheila notes that this was a brave decision for John. However, he “was real and moving in the play and had no trouble projecting his performance into the chasm of the Olivier Theatre” (p. 224). Presented by the Royal National Theatre, the play opened on 2 October. It would later be filmed for television by the BBC, with John in the same role.
John in The Absence of War, 1993.
1994
In February, John took part as a guest on his friend Richard Briers’ This Is Your Life. The episode was broadcast on 9 March.
This year, John began filming for a new television series –Kavanagh Q.C. It had been devised by Ted Childs, producer of The Sweeney and Inspector Morse. John was also impressed by the scripts from writer Russell Lewis.
1995
The first episode of Kavanagh Q.C. “Nothing But The Truth”, was broadcast on 3 January 1995. It was followed by a further three episodes.
In March this year, John and Sheila’s first grandchild, Jack, was born to Melanie and her husband Matthew.
In May, John could be seen in his role of George Jones MP, in a BBC adaptation of The Absence of War, filmed for the BBC Two drama anthology series Screen Two.
In his personal life, this was a year of transformation for John. As Sheila discusses, he had worked with a counsellor, and now sought help from a therapist specialising in alcohol addiction. John was able to stop drinking completely, and never returned to it. He became “happier, calmer and more at peace with himself” (p. 234).
This year, John reprised his role of Chief Inspector Morse this summer, as filming began on the special episode “The Way Through the Woods”, written by Russell Lewis. The episode was broadcast on 29 November 1995. Viewers were delighted to see Morse and Lewis return to their screens. According to Hildred and Ewbank, the episode was watched by 16.56 million people (p. 204).
In a different kind of job, John could be heard on the radio this year, presenting They Called Me Al – the Story of Al Bowlly. This was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday 10 Oct 1995.
Meanwhile, filming was completed on a further six new episodes of Kavanagh Q.C. to be shown the following year.
1996
John appeared in a supporting role in the short film Masculine Mescaline, which was shown at the Tampere International Short Film Festival in Finland on 6 March.
Series Two of Kavanagh Q.C. was broadcast from the end of February to April, remaining popular with viewers. Filming for the third series began in May. The director Jack Gold joined the show to direct the first two episodes of Series Three. He had previously worked with John many years before, as director of the film The Bofors Gun. Sheila notes, “John held him in high esteem” (p. 225). The two men were pleased to be working together again.
In one of the episodes Jack Gold directed, “Blood Money”, Sheila Hancock guest-starred as a bereaved woman attempting to win a case of negligence against a hospital. It was the first time John and Sheila had acted together since her appearance on Home to Roost. This experience was a much better one.
Also for this series, John went to the United States to film the Kavanagh Q.C. episode “In God We Trust.”
John was awarded an Honorary Master of Arts Degree from The University of Manchester. Accompanied by his family, he attended the ceremony held on 9 October 1996, wearing the traditional mortar board and gown.
The next Inspector Morse special, “The Daughters of Cain”, was filmed in late summer, and was broadcast on 27 November 1996.
1997
Sadly, John’s beloved Dad, Jack -’Grandad’ to Melanie, Abigail and Joanna, died this year from cancer.
In early 1997, John went to Greece to film Into The Blue. The two-hour television film, about a failed businessman who finds himself embroiled in a murder case, was adapted from Robert Goddard’s novel. It was produced by Chris Burt and Ted Childs, with Jack Gold directing.
Filming for the third Inspector Morse special started in April.
The third series of Kavanagh Q.C. was broadcast from March into April, including the episode guest-starring Sheila, which was shown on 10 March. A fourth series would be filmed this summer. A highlight of this series was the opportunity for John to work once more with his old friend and one-time flatmate, Tom Courtenay, who guest-starred in the episode “Memento Mori”.
In May this year: John Thaw, Sheila Hancock And David Jason Attend “The Breast Cancer Charity Dinner” At The Brewery In London
Into The Blue was broadcast on 15 October, with a mixed reception from critics regarding the storyline. John’s performance was excellent.
A happy family event was the arrival of John and Sheila’s granddaughter, Molly Mae, born to Abigail and her husband Nigel in November.
The Inspector Morse episode “Death is Now My Neighbour”, was broadcast on 19 November. The episode finally revealed Morse’s first name: Endeavour. Fans were also delighted to see Morse embark on what seemed like a promising love affair, with Adele Cecil, played by Judy Loe. Another notable guest-star was John’s friend and neighbour Richard Briers, who is excellent in the role of the callous Sir Clixby Bream.
1998
In April, John and Sheila’s third grandchild, Lola, was born to Melanie and Matthew.
Meanwhile, John had begun work on a new project; a television film adapted by Brian Finch from Michelle Magorian’s novel Goodnight Mister Tom. John took the role of the gruff but gentle-hearted Tom Oakley who takes an evacuee child under his wing. The film was produced by Ted Childs and Chris Burt, and was directed by Jack Gold.
John then returned to more familiar roles once more, filming the Inspector Morse episode “The Wench Is Dead” in the summer, before going straight on to the fifth and final series of Kavanagh Q.C.
In the summer, John donated his services without a fee to record a voiceover television appeal for donations to Christie’s Against Cancer, an appeal by Christie Hospital in Manchester.
Goodnight Mister Tom was broadcast on 25 October 1998 to a fine reception from audiences.
John attended the ceremony for the 4th National Television Awards, held on 27 October, where he was the proud winner of two awards: Most Popular Actor for Kavanagh Q.C., the National Television Special Recognition Award.
John receiving his award at the National Television Awards, 1998.
The Inspector Morse episode “The Wench Is Dead” was broadcast on 11 November.
This late autumn, John had started work on a new mini-series entitled Plastic Man, in the role of a plastic surgeon who struggles with his moral compass as he is tempted into an affair with a colleague (played by Frances Barber). The series would be broadcast the following year.
John and Sheila celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary, after twenty-five years of marriage, on 24 December. The couple had been enjoying some holidays together, including a wonderful trip to Venice this year. However, John’s favourite place to relax was their home in France.
John and Sheila attending the National Television Awards.
1999
The fifth and final regular series of Kavanagh Q.C. was broadcast in March.
On 1 March, John began filming for a new television movie, a thriller entitled The Waiting Time in which his character becomes involved in events set in motion during the Cold War. The film was more of an action-based drama than John’s recent roles, and he decided he was “getting too old for all this!” (Hancock, 2004, p. 247).
At the BAFTA Television Awards, held on 9 May, John collected the Radio Times Lew Grade Audience Award for Most Popular Drama, for Goodnight, Mister Tom. He made sure that his twelve-year-old co-star Nick Robinson shared the honour.
The TV series Plastic Man was broadcast from 12 May.
Meanwhile, John was off to France to start work on a new television series. Monsignor Renard was written by Russell Lewis, with Ted Childs and Chris Kelly producing. Set in France during WWII, the series followed a Catholic priest as he returned home to support his village during the occupation. The first series of four episodes was filmed during the summer for release the following year.
Coincidentally, John had also been asked to narrate a documentary about WWII, which he began around the time that he was working on Monsignor Renard. The project helped his understanding of the series. The documentary, The Second World War in Colour was broadcast on 9 September.
At the TVQuick Awards on 6 September. John won the award for Best Actor for Goodnight Mister Tom, and also collected the award for Best New Drama for the film alongside his co-star Nick Robinson.
John at the TVQuick Awards, 1999.
The film The Waiting Time was broadcast on 28 October.
Further awards for Goodnight Mister Tom were awarded at the National Television Awards on 26 October, with John voted Most Popular Actor. The film won the award for Most Popular Drama.
2000
Monsignor Renard was broadcast between 27 March and 17 April 2000. Although the excellent quality series was popular with audiences, a decision had been taken by ITV bosses to cancel further series due to production costs. Therefore, this would be the only series made. John received a nomination for Most Popular Actor at the National Television Awards this year for his role as Monsignor Renard.
John’s next project was the television film Buried Treasure, in which he played a businessman who had to find room in his heart for the grandchild he hadn’t known he had. Filmed this year, it would be broadcast in 2001, making it John’s final film to be aired.
Chief Inspector Morse was seen for the final time this year, in the episode “The Remorseful Day”. Directed by Jack Gold, the episode sees an ailing Morse suffer a heart attack and die soon after, shortly after solving his final case. John himself had felt unwell during filming, which he felt was brought on by constantly reminding himself that he was playing a sick man.
Cast, crew, and viewers alike were moved to tears at the demise of Morse. A documentary, The Last Morse, shot during the filming of the final episode, was broadcast on 5 November, with the episode itself following on 15 November. Although John had felt that it was time to say a final goodbye to Inspector Morse, he was saddened by the finale.
John as Kavanagh.
John went on to film a one-off feature length episode of Kavanagh Q.C. “The End of the Law” was written by Stephen Churchett and directed by Jack Gold.
Starting in late autumn, John started filming for the six-part television series The Glass, playing a businessman at risk of losing his love-interest, played by Sarah Lancashire, to a much younger man.
This winter, John could be heard on television once more as he narrated a further documentary series on WWII. Britain at War in Colour was broadcast from November/December.
John and Sheila took the opportunity to enjoy a holiday to Paris over the Christmas holidays.
2001
The Kavanagh Q.C. episode “The End of the Law” was broadcast on 25 April. This was to be the final episode of the series.
Sheila had been asked to narrate a recording of the musical Peter Pan, and suggested to John that he could take the part of Captain Hook. He was persuaded, and devoted himself to studiously learning the part, taking his script with him during a break in France. Rehearsals began on 14 April and the musical was performed on 26 April at the Royal Festival Hall. It was recorded for transmission on BBC Radio 3 on New Year’s Eve. John enjoyed the role and his performance was excellent. It was to be the last time he performed.
The Glass was broadcast from the end of May into July.
At the BAFTA Television Awards on 13 May, John received a double honour. He was awarded with a BAFTA Television Fellowship, which was presented to him by his old friend Tom Courtenay. He also received the Radio Times Lew Grade Audience Award for Inspector Morse “The Remorseful Day”.
In June 2001, John was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus. He began treatment, intending to return to work after his recovery. During his treatment, he and Sheila were able to spend time together in France and at their home at Luckington.
Buried Treasure was broadcast on 14 October 2001.
John was able to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace on 28 November.
John and Sheila celebrated their 28th Wedding Anniversary on 24 December, and enjoyed a family Christmas.
Peter Pan – A Musical Adventure was broadcast on Monday 31st December 2001, 19:30 on BBC Radio 3.
2002
On 3 January, John celebrated his 60th birthday.
His brother, Ray, was visiting from Australia and stayed until mid-January.
John remained seemingly defiant and hopeful of making a recovery. He discussed future projects, and signed a new contract with Carlton Television.
John Thaw died at his home in Luckington on 21 February 2002, surrounded by his family.
***
Tributes to John Thaw were published in countless newspapers and magazines. ITV aired a 30-minute tribute to his life and career.
John was cremated in a private ceremony on 25 February. At the end of March, Sheila and the family held a memorial gathering in the garden at Luckington for family and friends to attend.
At the BAFTA Television Awards, 21 April, John was awarded the Radio Times Lew Grade Audience Award for Buried Treasure. Sheila accepted the award, taking with her Dominique Jackson, who had played his granddaughter in the film.
On Wednesday 4 September 2002, A Service to Remember John Thaw was held at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. This memorial was attended by family, friends, professional colleagues, a number of John’s fans, and the then Prince of Wales, Charles. Trafalgar Square came to a standstill as John’s grandchildren released 60 balloons, one for each year of John’s life, bearing the message, “Today we remembered John with love”.
References:
Hancock, S. (2004). The Two of Us: My Life with John Thaw. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.
Bibliography:
BBC Genome (2023). Programme Index: “JohnThaw”. Available at: https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?q=%22John+Thaw%22#top
Big Red Book. ‘This Is Your Life: Richard Briers’. Big Red Book Celebrating television’s This Is Your Life. Available at: https://www.bigredbook.info/richard_briers_1.html
Bishop, D. (2008). The Complete Inspector Morse. Third Edition: Revised and Updated. London: Reynolds & Hearn Ltd.
Hildred, S. and Ewbank, T. (2012). John Thaw: The Biography. [Kindle]. London: Andre Deutsch.
IMDb contributors (2024). ‘John Thaw’. IMDb. Available at: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0857177/
Magorian, M. (2023). Goodnight Mister Tom – Awards. Available at: https://michellemagorian.com/goodnight-mister-tom/awards/
Tibballs, G. (1996). Kavanagh Q.C. London: Carlton Books.
Wikipedia contributors (2024). ‘Kavanagh. Q.C.’ Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kavanagh_QC
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