British actor James Hazeldine was a well-known face both on British Television and on Stage. Best known for his role as Mike "Bayleaf" Wilson in the ITV drama, London's Burning (1988), many real-life firefighters thought Bayleaf was the character who closely and accurately portrayed your average real-life firefighter, a credit to his acting abilities. A meticulous performer, he was well-known for researching every part he played, and firmly believed that by accurately portraying a character the audience would feel much more involved in and enveloped by the performance. He played the role continuously for seven years from the serial's inception in 1988. (The character's sobriquet stemmed from a culinary bent for complex recipes).
In a career spanning three decades, he also guested in such series as 'Boon' and 'Miss Marple', and, in the late 1980s, played the manager of the electrics company in Central's early-evening situation comedy, Young, Gifted and Broke (1989). In 1995, Hazeldine's character was written out of London's Burning of the actor's own volition, but he remained with the programme as a director. In years to come, he expanded his directing talents to encompass other UK drama serials, among them TV's The Knock (1994) and Heartbeat (1992). His acting CV also included sporadic film appearances, such as Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982). Although renowned as a television performer, he was also a respected stage actor, having trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company and, at one time, acted on Broadway alongside Glenda Jackson. He was rehearsing for his role as Sigmund Freud in a new stage play, 'The Talking Cure', when he became ill. In 2002 he appeared in the controversial drama, Shipman, which re-enacted events surrounding the murderous killing spree of Dr Harold Shipman, Britain's most prolific serial killer. Hazeldine assumed the role of Detective Inspector Stan Egerton, the man charged with leading the investigation into the deranged doctor's crimes.
Determined that the dramatization should be as authentic as possible, Hazeldine even met with the retired policeman to ensure a realistic portrayal of the diligent law enforcer. Ironically, while the Shipman drama was in production, the real-life Mr. Egerton died suddenly and prematurely of a coronary disorder. James Hazeldine died on 18 December 2002, aged 55. There will never be anyone quite like him again, British Television mourned the loss of a truly great actor, director and personality.
2002
as DI Stan Egerton
2002
as Dennis Luxford
2001
as Ivan Braithwaite
2000
as D. I. Whelan
1999
as Austin Danforth
1999
1997
1997
as Leo Bantock
1996
as Mr. Weston
1996
1992
as Charlie Throckmorton
1992
as Reg Manston
1991
as Jack Prince
1991
as Brian Matkin
1990
as Trevor
1989
1988
as Bernie Walters
1987
as Peter Picard
1987
as Mowbray
1987
as Digby Tuckerman
1987
as Mark
1986
as Lawrence Redding
1986
1986
as Michael 'Bayleaf' Wilson
1986
as Mike 'Bayleaf' Wilson
1986
as David Gore
1986
1985
as Vincente Da Franchi
1985
as David Gore
1984
as Lawrence Redding
1984
as Richard Brunton
1984
as David Gore
1984
as David Gore
1983
as Malcolm
1983
1982
as Patrick
1982
as Lover
1980
as Kenneth Carr
1979
as Tom Crane
1979
1978
1978
as Lovelass
1978
as John Fowler
1978
as Jack
1977
as Dennis Horncastle
1976
as Gaston
1976
1976
as Graham Banks
1974
as Brian
1973
as Frank Barraclough
1973
1973
as Chris
1972
as Fraser
1971
as Stalin
1971
as George Green
1970
as Gerald
1970
as Alf
1970
as Patrick
1970
as Chris
1970
as Dawkins
1969
as Staff Sgt. Timson
1965
1964
as Self
1951
as Vincente de Franchi