Michael Melia

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Michael Melia (born 1945) is an established British actor best known for his work on television.

Melia was born in Berkshire and attended St. Mary's College, Twickenham, the oldest Roman Catholic college in England. Before taking up acting he was a teacher. At one stage he ran a bar in Spain and thought about applying for a pub tenancy in England. However the idea was vetoed by his wife, former actress turned teacher, Celia Melia.

He began acting in television in the early 1970s, usually playing heavies or policemen, though he spent four years performing classic plays with the National Theatre.

He has played leading roles in three continuing drama serials: Eddie Royle on EastEnders (1990-1991); Frank Dagley on Dangerfield; and, more recently, Jerry Block for over a hundred episodes of the footballing soap opera Dream Team.

His rugged features have led to parts in numerous crime dramas: The Sweeney, The Bill, Minder, C.A.T.S. Eyes, The Chinese Detective, Dempsey & Makepeace, Rumpole of the Bailey, Inspector Morse, Maigret, The Detectives and Daylight Robbery.

He has also had parts in many other established dramas including Coronation Street, Casualty and most recently Doctors and Emmerdale.

He is also known for having appeared on Doctor Who in full alien costume as the Terileptil Leader in the 1982 story The Visitation; and had a minor part on Blake's 7.

He lives in Surrey with his wife and has two children.