Michael Attwell [Zoke]

About

Michael John Attwell was born in Watford on 16 January 1943. Although a talented artist as a child, he always wanted to act, and after training at RADA he went into repertory theatre at the Newcastle Playhouse. He later appeared in London as Buckingham in William Shakespeare's "Richard III" at the Young Vic, and as Bill Sikes in Lionel Bart's "Oliver!" at the Albery. In 1967 he had a small part in the BBC's science-fiction series Dr Who, in the episode "The Ice Warriors."

Attwell supplemented his theatre income by producting strips for IPC and DC Thomson comics including Bunty, Buster, Whizzer and Chips, and The Hotspur. In 1981 and 1982 he drew cartoons for The Sun, acting as relief for Stanley Franklin. He signed himself "Zoke", which combined the names of his children Zoe and Jake. In 1982 Attwell transferred to The People, and continued working for the paper until at least 1993. From 1984 to 1989 Attwell also contributed to the News of the World.

In 1982 Attwell returned to television work, and had acting parts in a wide range of popular BBC series from Only Fools and Horses, to The Bill and Dr Who. In 1988 he appeared in two episodes of Eastenders, as the character Kenny Beale.

Michael Attwell died in London on 18 March 2006.

• Anthony Hayward "Michael Attwell - Actor and political cartoonist", The Independent, 25 March 2006, p.41.
• Michael Attwell's film and television credits www.imdb.com/name/nm0041112/