It's the end of an era as David Daker, the lovable rogue with a face as familiar as the programmes he starred in, has left us. The 90-year-old stalwart of British television, celebrated for his iconic role as Harry Crawford in Boon, has passed on, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by fans for generations to come.
The Birmingham-born actor was the mastermind behind the entrepreneurial escapades of Ken Boon and his trusted sidekick Harry Crawford. For seven seasons from 1986 to 1992 (with a final episode in 1995), Boon captured the hearts of up to 15 million viewers, its theme song 'Hi Ho Silver' by Jim Diamond even making it into the Top 10 charts in 1986. It's hard to imagine British TV without that catchy tune or Daker's larger-than-life presence.
Beyond Boon, David Daker left an indelible mark on our screens with his unforgettable turns as PC Owen Culshaw in the classic BBC drama Z Cars (appearing in over 80 episodes between 1967 and 1968) and memorable guest appearances in beloved comedies such as Only Fools and Horses, Porridge, Coronation Street, and the iconic sci-fi series, Doctor Who. His most dramatic roles included Corporal Hill in the 1975 TV adaptation of Arnold Wesker's Chips With Everything and the heart-wrenching portrayal of Rudolf Hoess, the Auschwitz commandant, in the 1978 miniseries Holocaust.
With a passion for performing ignited at a young age, Daker defied his parents' wishes for a more stable career path to pursue acting. After a brief stint as a draughtsman, he trained at the prestigious Oxford Playhouse Theatre School and honed his craft with repertory companies like Oldham Rep and Salisbury Playhouse. His stage career was marked by critical acclaim, including his West End debut in Saint Joan in 1994.
Daker's enduring presence on screen and stage has cemented his status as a beloved and versatile actor in the UK. While Boon may not currently be available to stream, its reruns occasionally feature on ITV3; Only Fools and Horses is accessible on BBC iPlayer; and episodes of Doctor Who featuring Daker can be found on both BBC iPlayer and BritBox.