SAD NEWS: BBC star’s tragic cancer de@th after ‘dreams came true’
Lyndham Gregory was a beloved EastEnders and Coronation Street actor, as well as an accomplished stage and screen star, but he tragically d!ed aged 59 from lung cancer despite never having
smoked
Lyndam Gregory starred in both Corrie and EastEnders (Image: Shutterstock)
He was a much loved star of two of Britain’s most popular soaps – both Coronation Street and EastEnders – while also being a distinguished performer of stage and screen alike.
Friends, family and admirers of Lyndham Gregory were left heartbroken when the actor tragically passed away aged just 59 from lung cancer, despite never having smoked.
Born in Darjeeling, India, Lyndham was the son of a tea planter while his mother, Marina, served as a teacher. During the early 1960s his father, Neville, opted to move the family from India to London, exchanging their magnificent Himalayan views for city living.
From a young age, it was evident Lyndham yearned for a career in entertainment and he trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. His initial professional role came in a production of The Blue Monster at the Arts Theatre in London.
His wife, Christine, said: “Lyndam began his working life in a bank but always aspired to work as an actor on television, having been beguiled by black-and-white programmes when he arrived in London.”, reports the Daily Star.
Lyndam Gregory was just 59 when he d!ed (Image: Shutterstock)
His ambition was realised when he first performed on stage and on television in several enormously popular programmes.
Lyndham landed his first TV role in 1979 when he was cast as Latif Khan in Rumpole of the Bailey. Four years later he secured his first role in a soap, which he would become recognised for appearing in.
He won the role of Sammy Patel in Coronation Street. His second soap role followed when he lent his voice to the character of Ashok in the beloved long-running radio programme, The Archers.
He also starred in Surgical Spirit (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
His career breakthrough arrived in 1995 when he landed the part of Guppy Sharma on EastEnders, a role he would go on to play for the following 12 months and one that made him a household face.
In a heartfelt tribute to her husband, published in The Guardian, Lyndham’s wife, Christine, said: “Lyndam loved being in the soaps, although the wide audience they attracted meant that many complete strangers would approach him as though they had known him for years. He enjoyed filming EastEnders at Elstree studios because of its association with landmark films.”
Alongside his soap opera work, Lyndham also featured in the comedy Surgical Spirit between 1989 and 1992, as well as taking on parts in The Bill, London’s Burning, Casualty and Doctors. He additionally narrated audio books.
Lyndham, a non-smoker, was sadly diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2013 and passed away 12 months later. He is survived by his wife and daughter, Dominique.
