EastEnders icon died at 57 from brain tumour tragically leaving young son
EastEnders icon Ross Davidson became a familiar face to viewers at home thanks to his role as nurse Andy O'Brien. As an original member of the BBC cast, Ross appeared in Albert Square from 1985 to 1986. During his time on the show he played the boyfriend of Debbie Wilkins and he became the first regular EastEnders character to be killed off when his character died in a road accident in August 1986. But despite his success on our screens, acting wasn’t Ross’ first choice of career and he initially started off as a PE teacher before taking acting and ballet classes on the side.
As he trained, he secured a place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and made his TV debut in 1979 in the BBC’s A Degree of Uncertainty. Elsewhere, he appeared in the film The Pirates of Penzance as well as the Monty Python short film The Crimson Permanent Assurance.
Away from his time on EastEnders, Ross also appeared in a string of other popular TV shows including Take The High Road and Hollyoaks. He also recorded the song Jigsaw Pop, though it failed to chart.
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In February 2005, he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. He underwent an operation to remove the tumour, though it later returned and in May 2005 he brought forward his wedding to his partner Barbara and the pair tied the knot three months after receiving news of his diagnosis.
“I was about to retire,” he told the Mirror at the time. “And I was just thinking how life was treating me unbelievably well and then this cancer nonsense comes along and spoils everything. Thanks a lot.”
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Sadly less than two years after he received the diagnosis, Ross passed away in October 2006 at his home in Frinton-on-Sea in Essex at the age of 57. “Ross had surgery three times. He searched the country for a cure and fought a brave fight,” his agent said at the time.
Following his death, soap stars paid tribute to the iconic actor. “He was a good man with a great sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye. It's a great shame that he has left us after such a long and brave battle, but he always was a fierce competitor. My thoughts are with his family,” said Adam Woodyatt.
Ross is survived by his son Drew, who was eight years old at the time of his father’s death. He also had three stepchildren.
