Tom Georgeson was renowned for his roles in Boys From The Blackstuff and A Fish Called Wanda
18:40, 18 Mar 2026Updated 18:49, 18 Mar 2026
Tom Georgeson has died aged 88. Pictured in character in 1998 in character as DC Howard Jones in Liverpool One(Image: GTV COPYRIGHT)
Tom Georgeson’s family have paid tribute to his legacy after the legendary actor died aged 88. The star enjoyed an incredible career in film and television, which included memorable roles in Boys From The Blackstuff and A Fish Called Wanda.
The actor died in the early hours of the morning (March 18) and his nephew, Danny Conway, told the ECHO his death comes as a shock. He said: “[I’m] gutted because we weren’t expecting it. Last time I spoke to him he was in good health. I woke up to that news today and it’s just sad. I was really proud of him and felt lucky to have a famous uncle.”
Tom was living in London at the time of his death and is survived by his wife, Prim, and children, Richard and Roslyn. Danny, along with brothers, Elliot and Andrew, and their mum, Ruth, are the only surviving members of Tom’s family to still live in Liverpool.
The actor was one of 11 children to have grown up in Clubmoor and Danny said this generation of his family were all imbued with the same creative spark that helped Tom become such a success in the arts. He added: “The whole family has got an artistic streak through them.
“They’re either artists or performers. It started with my grandad, who was into amateur dramatics. He got Tom into it as well. One of his other brothers, Greg, used to read audio books. He passed away last year.”
It was at Greg’s funeral when Danny last saw Tom, which is now a bittersweet memory. He added: “He was getting older obviously, but he was still on his feet and looking well.
“You didn’t get to see each other very often because he lived in London and was busy all the time. [Before he retired] Whenever he had a play in the Playhouse or the Everyman, he’d come and see us.”
Tom Georgeson was always keen to put the spotlight on his home city(Image: copyright)
Tom may have moved to London, but his heart remained in Liverpool as he constantly put the spotlight on his home city during his long career. Danny joked: “He thickened his Scouse accent every time he came back home.”
The actor appeared in Z Cars early on in his career and also had a standout role in Liverpool 1. However, it is his celebrated partnership with Alan Bleasdale that he will perhaps be best remembered for, as he teamed up with the iconic writer on numerous occasions in Scully, G.B.H and Boys from the Blackstuff.
His devastating performance as foreman turned security guard Dixie Dean in the unemployment drama will forever be remembered, as it became symbol for the impact Margaret Thatcher’s policies were having in the city.
Danny is proud of how his uncle championed working class values throughout his career and never forgot his roots. He told the ECHO: “There’s a strong socialist streak in the family. It’s a bit like Bill Shankly’s mantra.”
A scene from the first episode of Boys From The Blackstuff – Jobs For The Boys – with, left to right: Bernard Hill (Yosser Hughes), Michael Angelis (Chrissie Todd), Tom Georgeson (Dixie Dean) and, with his back to the camera, Alan Igbon (Loggo Lomond)(Image: Not Trinity Mirror)
Although his onscreen counterpart in Blackstuff was named after the Blues highest ever goalscorer, Tom was a massive Liverpudlian away from the screen and Danny said he will be thinking of him tonight when the Reds take to the pitch at Anfield.
He said: “We’ve got a saying in our family when one of the uncles passes that they’re going to be sitting on the crossbar at the Kop End trying to guide the ball in the back of the net. He was a proud Liverpool fan. Loved the football club and we had a WhatsApp group where we used to communicate with all the cousins [about the match].”
Tom leaves behind an incredible legacy as he rose from humble beginnings in North Liverpool to star in a Hollywood film when he appeared in John Cleese’s acclaimed comedy A Fish Called Wanda. Tom’s character was a play on his name as he played the gangster George Thomason in the 1989 film.
Danny will treasure the memories he had with him as he will always be proud of his famous uncle. He said: “It was very rare that you’d get to see him in person so when you did it was a big deal for us.
“I remember when I was about 7, I took him to one of my mate’s houses and knocked on the door and said, ‘see I told you he was real.’ I knocked on my mate’s house and my uncle Tom was standing there all embarrassed.”
In a tribute to Tom, a spokesperson for the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres said: “We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tom Georgeson – a much‑loved Liverpool actor whose talent, generosity and unmistakable presence shaped so many moments on our stages since he first performed with us in the 1970s.
“In more recent times, Tom appeared in The Kindness of Strangers, Tony Green’s play created for the Everyman’s 40th birthday season in 2004. He returned memorably to the Playhouse in the comedy When We Are Married, sharing the stage with Les Dennis and Jodie McNee.
“In each of these roles, he brought the same depth, wit and humanity that defined his work across film, television and theatre. Tom was one of our city’s great actors, and we’re grateful and proud to have been an artistic home he returned to throughout his career.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”