Dursley James McLinden (29 May 1965 – 7 August 1995) was a

Manx Manx (; formerly sometimes spelled Manks) is an adjective (and derived noun) describing things or people related to the Isle of Man: * Manx people **Manx surnames * Isle of Man It may also refer to: Languages * Manx language, also known as Manx ...

actor whose career was mostly focused on the London stage in musicals such as '' The Phantom of the Opera'', '' Gigi'' (Lyric Theatre, 1985) and '' Follies''. He appeared in the title role in the 1988 film ''

Just Ask for Diamond ''Just Ask for Diamond'', alternatively titled ''Diamond's Edge'', is a 1988 British comedy crime film directed by Stephen Bayly and starring Colin Dale, Saeed Jaffrey and Dursley McLinden. It is based on ''The Falcon's Malteser'' (1986), the fi ...

''. His television roles included a 1988 appearance in ''

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...

'' as Sgt Mike Smith in the story '' Remembrance of the Daleks''.

Early life

At the age of eight, McLinden made his first stage appearance at Willaston School, playing the dame in ''

Dick Whittington Richard Whittington (c. 1354–1423) of the parish of St Michael Paternoster Royal, City of London, was an English merchant and a politician of the late medieval period. He is also the real-life inspiration for the English folk tale ''Dick ...

''. Aged 16, he left his home in Douglas and trained as an actor at the

Mountview Theatre School Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, formerly Mountview Theatre School, is a drama school in Peckham, south London, England, founded in 1945. The Academy provides specialist vocational training in acting and musical theatre, as well as production ...

in Peckham.

Death

Falling ill in 1988, McLinden was diagnosed with HIV AIDS in 1990. As a result, he raised money for West End Cares, the theatrical arm of Aids charity Crusaid. The actor continued working up until a few weeks before his death at the age of 30. His death was attributed to

AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual m ...

. The 2021 AIDS drama ''It's a Sin'' contains a tribute to McLinden, by way of series lead Ritchie Tozer (

Olly Alexander Oliver Alexander Thornton (born 15 July 1990) is a British singer and actor. He is best known as the lead singer of Years & Years and for his performance as Ritchie Tozer in the Channel 4 drama series, ''It's a Sin''. Early life Alexander w ...

) appearing in a fictional Doctor Who story called ''Regression of the Daleks'' where he plays the character Trooper Linden. ''It's A Sin'' writer Russell T Davies met McLinden through a mutual friend.

Other appearances

*'' Mr. Bean'' Shoe Salesman in ''Mr. Bean Goes To Town'' 1991 *'' After Henry'' Edward in "Party Politics" 1990 *''

'' 1988 aka ''Diamond's Edge'' Tim Diamond *''Diamond Brothers – South By South-East'' Tim Diamond *''

'' – '' Remembrance of the Daleks'' 1988; Sgt Mike Smith

References

External links

* 1965 births 1995 deaths 20th-century British LGBT people 20th-century Manx male actors AIDS-related deaths in England Manx gay actors Manx male actors Alumni of the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts {{UK-actor-stub