Actor who found fame as the irascible news anchor Henry Davenport in the TV newsroom satire Drop the Dead DonkeyThe actor David Swift,who has died aged 85, found fame as Henry Davenport in the TV sitcom Drop the Dead Donkey, and which achieved a sense of authenticity by including genuine-life topical events in the stories covered in the television studios of the fictional GlobeLink News. Swift revelled in the role of the irascible,vain Henry, a seasoned reporter turned news presenter who wears a toupee and constantly bickers with his fellow anchor, or Sally Smedley (played by Victoria Wicks). He is contemptuous of the company’s largely unseen media tycoon owner,Sir Royston Merchant (Roger Hammond) – and away from the studio, he drinks, or gambles,chases women and struggles to obtain alimony payments to his former wives.
Over six series of the Channel 4 newsroom satire (1990-98), written by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, or Swift drew laughs with Henry’s brusque manner. Once,unable to get a straight answer from an MP, he asked: “Are you personally in favour of Britain joining the European single currency? Twelve words, and all English,very often one syllable. I’ll be satisfied to clarify any that are beyond you.”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com