Crossroads actor Tony Adams, known for his role as Adam Chance in the soap, has died at the age of 84. Adams died at Sussex County Hospital in Brighton on Saturday, with his wife Christine by his side.
The soap ended in 1988 after an impressive run of over 4,500 episodes, with Adams remaining until the very end.
He was among the original cast members, including Jane Rossington and Kathy Staff, who reprised their roles when the soap made a comeback in 2001.
Tributes poured in following the news of his death. Augustus Prew, who portrayed Adams in the drama, fondly remembered him as a "magical man" during interviews at the time.
Michael Rose, from The Michael Rose Organisation Ltd, paid a heartfelt tribute to Adams, describing him as an "absolute joy" and praising his talents as an actor, dancer and singer.
"He was one of the warmest gentlemen you could wish to work with," Mr Rose said. "He was an absolute joy.
"He was a dancer originally but there was nothing Tony couldn't do. He was a very accomplished actor, he was a really good dancer and singer."
He went on: "He played Grandpa Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and was a joy to have in the company, as he was in every company. We shall miss him."
Born Anthony Sawley Adams in Anglesey, Wales, in 1940, he honed his acting skills at the prestigious Italia Conti theatre school.
After making a name for himself on stage, he became a household name as Dr Neville Bywaters in the 1970s soap General Hospital and also featured in the Dr Who series The Green Death.
In 1978, he landed the role of accountant Adam Chance in Crossroads, a character that would become his most recognised. He previously spoke of his love for the series, explaining he had kept in touch with some cast members.
Of his favourite moment on the show, he said: "My favourite storyline has to be Adam and Jill’s honeymoon in Venice." An he also admitted his role on the show saw him somewhat typecast as an actor.
"To some extent yes," he said when asked. "Although I have played a wide range of roles since Adam including Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof“, Von Trapp in “Sound of Music“, Higgins in “My Fair Lady” none of whom are exactly villainous. In pantomime, however, I am usually cast as the villain which I love."
Adams then showcased his talents on stage in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium Theatre, where he played Grandpa Potts, in 2004.
In 2023, he made a cameo appearance in Nolly – a three-part drama by Russell T Davies which tells the story of Crossroads actress Noele Gordon.
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