| Christopher Ellison | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 December 1946 London, England, |
| Website | |
| http://www.christopherellison.co.uk | |
Christopher Michael Ellison (born 16 December 1946, London)[1] is an English actor. He is best known for his role as DCI Frank Burnside in the popular ITV police series The Bill and short lived spin off series Burnside.
At school his art teacher encouraged him having seen his talent. Art remained his strong subject through school years and it was a natural progression that Chris then moved on to art college, firstly at Wimbledon and then Camberwell.[2]
He worked in the merchant navy, trained as a graphic designer and worked as a minicab driver. First drama job was Assistant Stage Manager at the Richmond Theatre. First acting role was in the play Woman in a Dressing Gown at said theatre. First break was a guest appearance in The Sweeney (1975).
He appeared in many guest roles in TV shows throughout the 1970s including episodes of The Sweeney and The Professionals, and in the films Rosie Dixon - Night Nurse and Buster (based on the Great Train Robbery).
In 1984 he appeared in Paul McCartney's feature film Give My Regards To Broad Street playing Rath's Minder.
In 1986 he played Criminal Gang Leader Charlie Elkin in the TV Series Running Scared, based on Bernard Ashley's Novel.
In 2005, he guest starred in the Doctor Who audio adventure The Game.
In 2007, from August 20–24, Christopher played the role of Len Harker in the BBC One soap opera, EastEnders.
He played Boyard for one year in the game show Fort Boyard and appeared in one episode of the sci-fi police series, Crime Traveller. He has appeared in Casualty, Judge John Deed, and Minder, among other appearances on Soccer AM, and presenting roles in The World's Most Stupid Criminals and Mousetrapped. In August 2011 he appeared in New Tricks episode 'Half Life' as a prisoner.
In February 2009 Chris won Celebrity Come Dine with Me on Channel 4.
In 2009, he appeared in A Silent Whistle and in 2010 Bonded by Blood and Basement[3]
He is currently the face and voice of Sussex-based MOT company Just MOT's [1]