Paul Darrow.

Oh so sorry to hear Paul Darrow has passed away. He was unforgettable as Avon, the member of the Liberator,s crew from the epic space drama Blake's Seven which lit up the Monday nights of millions way back in the dreary days of the almost end of the seventies. He was mad, bad and very dangerous to know. Those who spent too much time in Avon's company were liable to decrease their own odds of surviving considerably. It really was heady stuff, adventure drama sure but drenched in the dark politics of a dystopian era, when man took to the stars carrying all his baggage with him.
            Paul Darrow had ensured his genre credentials with an appearance as a brave but doomed UNIT officer way back in the first season of Jon Pertwee's tenure in the Tardis, standing off against the subterranean menace of The Silurians. He was a great character actor with a patrician features and a resonant voice, just take a look at his IMDB page for an idea of the vast variety of characters he has played over the years. I remember his turn in an episode of The Rivals Of Sherlock Holmes A Message From The Deep Sea opposite John Neville. A fog drenched treat for mystery fans.
            It would have been something to see him in character as Avon aboard The Tardis for a dream cross over. It was unthinkable then but by today not improbable. the fans would have bought into it instantly. Paul Darrow's charisma would have assured it.
            "A star has gone out today" was how one of his close friends put it.
             Perhaps one has, but while it shone it shone bright.