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Bill Ward
Born (1967-05-05) 5 May 1967 (age 57)
Alma materBristol University
OccupationActor
Years active1984–present
Known forCoronation Street
Emmerdale

Bill Ward (born 5 May 1967) is an English actor. He is known for his soap opera roles as Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street and James Barton in Emmerdale.

Early life

Ward was educated at Oundle School and Bristol University where he obtained a degree in Modern British History,[1] and worked as an advertising executive before beginning his professional acting career in the 1980s.[1]

Career

Ward acted widely in theatre and television, joining the cast of Coronation Street in 2003, portraying local builder Charlie Stubbs, until 2007 when his character was killed by Tracy Barlow after a domestic abuse storyline.[2] He made his second appearance in a major soap opera role as James Barton in Emmerdale beginning in 2013.[3] However, Ward announced in August 2016 that he was quitting the soap, and his character was killed off in October 2016. Outside of acting, Ward is noted as a photographer.[4]

Ward also had a role in 2003 in BBC TV's EastEnders, in which he played the role of Mike Parker. He also has had roles in shows such as ITV's The Bill and Heartbeat. In 2019, he starred as retired drag queen Hugo Battersby / Loco Chanelle in the acclaimed musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre for a limited run. In December 2020, it was revealed that Ward had undertaken work as a delivery driver for Tesco, after several acting jobs he had scheduled were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] In September 2023, he appeared in an episode of the BBC soap opera Doctors as Mickey Gilmore.[6]

It was announced in April 2024[7] that Ward would Headline in Bridlington Spa's pantomime playing the role of Fleshcreep in Jack and the Beanstalk, running from 14 December 2024 to 5 January 2025.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1984 Secret Places Mr. Watts Film
2001 Jonathan Creek Vernon Spools Episode: "Satan's Chimney"
2002 In Deep Policeman Episodes: "Blood Loss: Parts 1 & 2"
Footballers' Wives Mike Grainger Episodes: "Getting a Result" and "Winning the Double"
Rose and Maloney Mikey Episode: "Pilot: Part 1"
2003 EastEnders Mike Parker 1 episode
The Bill Charlie Phillips 2 episodes
Holby City Patrick Sanders Episode: "House of Cards"
2003–2007 Coronation Street Charlie Stubbs Series regular; 421 episodes
2004 Fallen Sykes Television film
2007 Cold Blood Paul Attwell Episode: "Dead and Buried"
2008 Midsomer Murders Sam Nelms Episode: "Talking to the Dead"
Heartbeat Mad Dan Neeley Episode: "It Came from Outer Space"
The Bill Rob Towler 4 episodes
2009 Robin Hood Rufus Episode: "Sins of the Father"
Doctors Larry Bryan Episode: "The Romantics"
Everything But the Ball Geoff Television film
2010 Tangled Nick Hobbes
2011 The Great Ghost Rescue Lord Alfred Seymour Film
2012 Casualty Vaughan Morrison Episode: "Zero Sum Game"
Crime Stories Carl Thompson Series 1: Episode 6
Doctors Reverend Roderick McAllister Episode: "Blood Upon the Rose"
2013 Silent Witness Hearns Episodes: "Trust: Parts 1 & 2"
2013–2017 Emmerdale James Barton Series regular; 341 episodes
2015 A Dark Reflection Terry Film
Not Alone Frank
2017 Legally Blonde: The Musical Professor Callahan Musical
2020 After Life Simon Supporting role; 3 episodes
2021 Before We Die Sean Hardacre 3 episodes
Casualty Mike Sartwell Series 35: Episode 26
2022 Vera Peter Henson Series 11: Episode 3: "Tyger Tyger"
2023 Doctors Mickey Gilmore Guest role

References

  1. ^ a b "About Bill". Bill Ward Photography. Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  2. ^ Dainty, Sophie (4 April 2013). "Former 'Coronation Street' actor Bill Ward 'glad' about Charlie legacy". Digital Spy.
  3. ^ Lloyd, Albertina (29 August 2013). "From the cobbles to the Dales: Coronation Street actor Bill Ward joins Emmerdale". The Independent.
  4. ^ Whetstone, David. "Ex-Corrie actor Bill Ward on his passion for photography". Archived from the original on 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Poldark actor took Deliveroo job after work cut under Covid". TheGuardian.com. 28 February 2021.
  6. ^ Timblick, Simon. "Doctors spoilers: Ruhma Carter meets a NEW MAN?". What to Watch. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Ex-Coronation Street actor Bill Ward headlining Bridlington panto". BBC News. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.