Kenneth Murray Watson (16 November 1931 – 21 July 1998) was a British television actor.

Early life Watson was born in London, England on 16 November 1931.

Career Watson is best known for playing Brian Blair in soap opera Take the High Road from 1980 to 1990, Ralph Lancaster in Coronation Street from 1975 to 1980 and Detective Inspector Scott in Dixon of Dock Green from 1972 to 1973.

Watson appeared in the Doctor Who serial The Wheel in Space as Bill Duggan, and was also booked to play a farmer in a later serial The Time Monster but was replaced by George Lee. In film, possibly his most memorable role was also Doctor Who related, with a supporting role in the Peter Cushing vehicle Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D..

He also appeared in a recurring roles as Tom Brierley in Mill of Secrets and as Detective Inspector Ian McGovern in Crown Court. He also played numerous minor roles in various sitcoms.

Later in his career, Watson was involved in writing and script editing, with credits including From Inner Space, The Westerners, Fancy That and The Bill.

Personal life Watson had a wife, Joan; and two children, Kate and Jamie. He died from pancreatic cancer on 21 July 1998, at the age of 66.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1964 First Men in the Moon Second Reporter (uncredited) 1966 Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. Craddock 1973 Nothing But the Night Jamie 1977 Blind Man's Bluff Mr. Hunter

Television Year Title Role Notes 1956 Kidnapped Mr Riach 2 episodes1957 Adventure at Cow Crossing Currington TV movie The Runaway King Villeneuve TV movie Escape Boggle Allen 1 episode1958 Macbeth Ross 2 episodes The Diary of Samuel Pepys John Jackson Miniseries, 1 episode 1958; 1967 Emergency Ward 10 Senior House Officer Graham / Bill Barron / Sgt Scott 21 episodes 1959 The Gentle Flame TV movie1960 Formula for Danger Mr Winston 7 episodes Scotland Yard Jack Gordon 1 episode Mill of Secrets Tom Brierley 6 episodes 1961 After the Crash Truman TV movie Drama 61-67 Tom Hudson 1 episode Our Mister Ambler 1 episode Philoctetes Sailor Miniseries. 2 episodes Doctor Faustus Scholar / Friar 1 episode Galileo Cardinal Bellamine TV movie BBC Sunday-Night Play Henry Bevan Episode: "The Barretts of Wimpole Street"1962 Out of This World Bud 1 episode Man of the World Willie 1 episode The Sword in the Web Lannes 1 episode 1963 Taxi! Harry Snow 1 episode 1963; 1964 ITV Play of the Week Sgt Slade / 2nd Lieutenant Smith 2 episodes 1963–1973 Dixon of Dock Green Detective Inspector Scott 19 episodes1964 Ghost Squad Sandy 1 episode Compact Car Salesman 1 episode 1965 R3 Harry 1 episode1966 The Liars Dr Jennings 1 episode Orlando McIver 1 episode The Heart of Midlothian Nisbet TV movie King of the River Plater 1 episode United! Mr Stevenson 1 episode1967 Dr. Finlay's Casebook Pete McInnes 1 episode Armchair Theatre Perkins / Dr Stephenson 2 episodes 1967–1971 Merry-Go-Round Sigfrid / Mr Thurgar 5 episodes1968 The Troubleshooters Macfarlane 1 episode The Revenue Men Smiler 1 episode Doctor Who Bill Duggan Serial: "The Wheel in Space", 3 episodes 1968; 1971 Take Three Girls TV Interviewer / Clergyman 2 episodes 1968–1978 Z-Cars Mr. Sowerby / Detective Inspector Morris / Ackroyd / Air Traffic Control Officer / Douglas 5 episodes 1968–1980 Coronation Street Ralph Lancaster / Detective-Constable Parry 19 episodes1969 The Gold Robbers Dr Lucas Miniseries, 1 episode Public Eye Detective Inspector Risman 1 episode Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) Police Sergeant 1 episode Dad’s Army The R.A.F. Officer 1 episode Castle Haven Chivers 1 episode1969; 1970 The Flaxton Boys Physician / Cordell 2 episodes ITV Saturday Night Theatre Philip Staines / Pat 2 episodes 1969; 1971 Hadleigh Bamber / Bromley 2 episodes 1970 A Stranger on the Hills John Stern 2 episodes Manhunt Jacques Maillot 1 episode Ace of Wands Dr Calder 1 episode No – That's Me Over Here! 1st Man 2 episodes Timeslip Dr Fordyce 2 episodes 1970; 1974 Special Branch Detective Inspector/ Falk 2 episodes1971 Nearest and Dearest First Policeman 1 episode The More We Are Together Wally Dunk 1 episode Out of the Unknown Hine 1 episode Justice Detective Inspector Charlton 1 episode Softly Softly: Task Force George Spender / Mr Gower 2 episodes1972 The Shadow of the Tower James Taite 1 episode Time of Your Life The Policeman 1 episode Clochemerle Sergeant 2 episodes Budgie Prisoner Governor 1 episode New Scotland Yard Prison Officer Giles 1 episode Follyfoot Charlie 1 episode Holly Plain Clothes Officer 3 episodes The Protectors Inspector Jack Newman 1 episode Pathfinders Squadron Leader Stevens 1 episode1973 Nothing but the Night Jamie TV movie Pardon My Genie Percy Cobbledick 3 episodes Whodunnit? James Charron 3 episodes Spy Trap Danvers 1 episode The Onedin Line Norris 1 episode Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em Orderley 1 episode Upstairs, Downstairs Arthur Naws 1 episode The Adventures of Black Beauty Mr Jones 2 episodes1973–1975 The Brothers Reg Turner 6 episodes Man About the House Police Sergeant / Policeman / Bank Manager 3 episodes1974 Funny Ha-Ha Mr Bonnie 1 episode ...And Mother Makes Five Dr Frazer 1 episode Churchill's People John MacPherson 1 episode1974–1977 Look and Read Jack Dunbar / Mr Barber 20 episodes Crown Court Det. Inspector Ian McGovern 10 episodes 1974–1980 Out of the Past 6 episodes1975 Village Hall David Paterson 1 episode Centre Play Sgt Johnston / Prestwick 2 episodes Jackanory Playhouse King Uther 1 episode 1975; 1979 Emmerdale Farm Phil Fletcher / Grant Brantford 7 episodes 1976 George and Mildred Mr Jolly 1 episode1977 The Phoenix and the Carpet Policeman 1 episode Headmaster Mr Linwood 1 episode Three Piece Suite Cast Member 1 episode Horse in the House PC Davies 3 episodes Rough Justice Jim Woodley 4 episodes The Paper Lads Marlow 1 episode The New Avengers Salvation Army Major 2 episodes 1978 Within These Walls Dr Farrer 1 episode The Les Dawson Show Various characters 1 episode The Sweeney Horrocks 1 episode The Morecambe & Wise Show 1 episode The Sandbaggers Hugh Douglas 1 episode The Voyage of Charles Darwin Thumper 1 episode General Hospital 1 episode Bernie 1 episode 1978; 1980 The Professionals Boss / Detective Supt. Tulson 2 episodes 1978–1981 ITV Playhouse The Radio Doctor / Roger Haydon / Emmajs / Bill 4 episodes1979 The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin Superintendent 1 episode Hazell Bert 1 episode Murder at the Wedding Inspector Peach Miniseries, 1 episode Bloomers Traffic Warren 1 episode1980 Very Like a Whale TV movie Jukes of Piccadilly Police Inspector 1 episode A Question of Guilt Clerk 2 episodes The Enigma Files Inspector Tolly 1 episode Buccaneer Flight Engineer 1 episode Grandad Scrap Dealer 1 episode Sky Pirates Police Sergeant TV movie 1980–1990 Take the High Road Brian Blair 397 episodes 1981 Singles Radio Doctor TV movie 1982 Airline Air Commodore Rupert 1 episode 1988 Mathspy Narrator 1994 Wycliffe Carter 1 episode 1996 The Bill Broadbent 1 episode

Writing Year Title Role Notes Inner Space The Westerners Fancy That The Bill

References

External links