UFO loses two Stars

[Susieg]

In an appalling tragic coincidence, ED BISHOP and MICHAEL BILLINGTON, the two lead actors in Gerry Anderson's 1969 series UFO have both died this week within days of each other.

Michael Billington, who played man-of-action Colonel Paul Foster in the series, passed away on Friday, June 3rd, aged 63. He had been battling cancer for some time.

Ed Bishop, who starred as the tough, dedicated SHADO Commander Ed Straker in UFO and also provided the voice for Captain Blue in Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons, died on the morning of Wednesday, June 8th, just three days shy of his 73rd birthday. He is understood to have contracted a fatal chest infection, but the exact cause of death is currently under investigation.



Our thoughts are with their families at this time.

Susieg



ED BISHOP (1932-2005)




MICHAEL BILLINGTON (1941-2005)

[BigHairyKev]

Thanks for the news Susieg - but what terrible news it is - I'm sure all of us here on the boards are sending our thoughts to the family, friends and colleagues and fans of these two talented men

[Anubis]

How tragic for the families, especially Ed Bishops family as he went so soon, healthy one minute, chest infection the next....sad.

I have just come online after watching two Episodes of UFO...ESP and Close Up......and as I was switching on the pc system I was wondering what they were both doing.

Sadly, I know now.

Thanks for that SusieG.....

If you find out about a service for Ed Bishop or Michael be nice to know?

[Susieg]

Hi Anubis

I have no information concerning any services for Ed Bishop but Michael Billington's funeral will be a private service - in lieu of flowers, his family have suggested that fans may wish to remember Michael by making a donation to Macmillan Cancer Relief or Marie Curie Cancer Care. here are links for both if anyone wishes to make a donation............

www.macmillan.org.uk/

www.mariecurie.org.uk/

Susieg

[kobold]

RIP

[MALCOLM XERXES™]

susieg said:

In an appalling tragic coincidence, ED BISHOP and MICHAEL BILLINGTON, the two lead actors in Gerry Anderson's 1969 series UFO have both died this week within days of each other.

<SNIP>

Ed Bishop, who starred as the tough, dedicated SHADO Commander Ed Straker in UFO and also provided the voice for Captain Blue in Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons, died on the morning of Wednesday, June 8th, just three days shy of his 73rd birthday. He is understood to have contracted a fatal chest infection, but the exact cause of death is currently under investigation.



Our thoughts are with their families at this time.

Susieg



ED BISHOP (1932-2005)

SUSIEG,

Acknowledged, thanks for the intel.

MR. ED BISHOP was a man whose work I have seen & heard all my life, with especial emphasis upon his contribution as KLAUS HERGESCHEIMER in DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER™ opposite SIR SEAN CONNERY, as well as his great voice work as CAPTAIN BLUE in CAPTAIN SCARLET & THE MYSTERONS™, a performance that was so definitive that he consented to blond hair for his great work as COMMANDER ED STRAKER in the brilliant, under-rated U.F.O.™ series from MR. GERRY ANDERSON.

Seeing the above photograph of MR. BISHOP with MICHAEL BILLINGTON, I am reminded of a benevolent Elf dressed as ERNST STAVRO BLOFELD. ;D

[jakeee]

Very sad to hear of the loss of these two great actors,ime sure they will be both sadly missed.Its really strange how i cannot imagine them getting old or dying.Anyway they left a class series for us all to watch UFO rules.

[kmelktarra]

I know that this is very late, 2006 and they passed over a year ago, but still my thoughts and my Death Howls go out for them still from the House of Kang-K'Tarra. I will keep the families in my thoughts as I am sure that they are still saddened by this passing. Mr. Ed Bishop, when I watched UFO I had a mad crush on him ( he to me was the most handsomest man alive....outside of Kommander Kang) His blue eyes stole my soul. Again, to the members of the family my condolunces.