Actor Ben Roberts who grew up in the Coed Mawr area of Bangor and was best known for playing Chief Inspector Derek Conway in The Bill, from 1987 to 2002, has died at the age of 70.
Born in Bangor in 1950, Roberts made his first TV appearance in A Woman’s Place in 1978.
He also had roles in The Professionals, nursing drama Angels and a 1984 episode of Doctor Who.
His death was confirmed by his agent, who called him a “wonderful” actor who had “an extensive career in theatre, TV and film”.
Roberts’ character on the ITV police drama was an old-fashioned officer and a trained hostage negotiator. The character of ‘Chief Inspector Conway’ was ultimately killed when a petrol bomb was thrown into his panda car.
He went on to appear in the 2011 film version of Jane Eyre and Tim Burton’s 2016 fantasy Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
In a statement released by his agents LCM Limited, posted on Twitter, they said: “Remembering the wonderful Ben Roberts who sadly passed away on Monday.
“Best known as Chief Inspector Derek Conway in The Bill & he had an extensive career in theatre, TV & film.
“Our thoughts are with his wife Helen and family at this time.”
Ben is survived by his wife Helen Lloyd, who is an award winning audiobook narrator, his son, Joe and granddaughter, Elsie.
