There's no doubt you're very used to seeing actor Stephen Tompkinson starring in a popular TV show over the years. From DCI Banks to Wild At Heart among many others, he's been a regular on our screens since the late 80s.
Hailing from County Durham, British comedy and drama star Stephen discovered his talent for acting at a young age.
“Acting wasn’t in the family and my parents initially wanted me to go to university before drama school so I’d have a degree to fall back on,” Stephen recalls. “But then in Sixth Form they watched me play John Proctor in a school production of The Crucible. Mum and Dad obviously saw something in me because they decided I could go straight to drama school.
"I got a place at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London but I couldn’t get a grant, so Mum and Dad supported me for the first two years. They backed me all the way – even though, for those two years, they didn’t see me perform in anything and had to take my word for it that I was doing all right!"
Stephen Tompkinson's TV shows
It’s proof of Stephen Tompkinson’s acting ability that he manages to portray a dour, introverted, glass-half-empty character like detective Alan Banks in DCI Banks with such authenticity. In real life, Stephen is personable, friendly and outgoing.
He's also much-loved for his role in Ballykissangel and for starring alongside Robson Green in two series of Grafters. Another role you may recognise him for is reporter Damien Day in Drop The Dead Donkey.
Stephen worked with his Ballykissangel co-star Dervla Kirwan again in 1999 in The Flint Street Nativity.
He also starred in BBC One drama Split in 2018 and played Brian the pharmacist in the fifth series of the supermarket sitcom Trollied, on Sky 1. Commenting on the diversity of the roles he plays, Stephen says, “I always hanker after comedy when I’ve done drama – and vice versa. Variety is what it’s all about.”
Stephen Tompkinson in Wild At Heart
Wild at Heart ran from 2006 to 2012 and was our Sunday night top TV pick for years. The series was all about veterinary surgeon Danny Trevanion, played by Stephen Tomkinson, who emigrates to South Africa with his family, where they attempt to rehabilitate an animal hospital for wild animals.
It ran for seven series, with Stephen starring in all seven.
Stephen Tompkinson in DCI Banks
Perhaps one of Stephen's best known roles is as Veteran Detective Chief Inspector, Alan Banks, who - along with his assistants DS Annie Cabbot and DI Helen Morton - investigates murders committed in the town of Eastvale, Yorkshire.
Broadcast over five series in 2010–2016, the series was based on Peter Robinson's Inspector Alan Banks novels.
“What makes Banks so extraordinary is his ordinariness – it’s the situations he finds himself involved with that are out of the ordinary," says Stephen. "People like to believe in the justice system and they admire Banks’ dedication and work ethic. If you were in trouble or something happened to you, you’d want a detective like Banks on your side, wouldn’t you?
"I think the viewers have warmed to the fact that the show is gritty and unglamorous – like much of real life. There’s also the voyeuristic element of police and hospital-based dramas. We want to witness what goes on but don’t want to end up there ourselves.”
Watch on BritBox: DCI Banks series 1-5
The Bay on ITV1
The Bay kicked off its second series on ITV1 this January. The series follows DC Lisa Armstrong (Morven Christie), who is asked to assist with a murder investigation in Morecambe.
Stephen Tompkinson plays Stephen Marshbrook, the son-in-law of Bill Bradwell, played by James Cosmo.
He is married to Rose – portrayed by Sharon Small – and is described as the “inheritor of Bill’s hard work”.
Stephen Tompkinson on the stage
Educating Rita
Stephen's most recent performance was as university tutor Frank in the 40th Anniversary UK tour of Willy Russell’s Educating Rita.
Although the tour was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic in mid-March, performances at the open air Minack Theatre, near Penzance, were able to go ahead. The sell out performances from August 18-29 observed social distancing guidelines, resulting in only 30 per cent of normal seats being available.
Stephen's previous theatre work includes Spamalot, Rattle of a Simple Man and Arsenic and Old Lace in the West End, Cloaca and A Christmas Carol (Old Vic), as well as Art and Tartuffe (National Tours).
Fans of Stephen were shocked when he was promoting Educating Rita, after he made an appearance on Lorraine, sporting his new hairstyle for the role.
While many thought Stephen looked unrecognisable, he cleared his new look up on Good Morning Britain, explaining it was for his role in Educating Rita.
Stephen said of his character, "He’s described as a geriatric hippy, so I’ve gone full method on that.”
Stephen Tompkinson's films
Stephen isn't just a TV star, having also appeared in the film Brassed Off, the classic British comedy about a colliery brass band starring Tara Fitzgerald and Ewan McGregor.
Does Stephen Tompkinson have a wife?
Stephen is currently in a long-term relationship with Scots diplomat Elaine Young — who he met in a Glasgow piano bar after performing in the city in 2007. He was previously married to Nicci Taylor for five years with whom he had a daughter, Daisy Ellen — age 6 at the time the pair split up.
Stephen Tompkinson's brother and family
Stephen Tompkinson was born in 1965 to parents Brian, a bank manager, and Josephine.
Family has always been of great importance to Stephen. The younger of two brothers – “my big brother John is a lollipop man and I’m very proud of him,” he says – the boys were brought up in Lytham St Anne’s, although they were born in Stockton-on-Tees, where their extended family lived.
“Mum and Dad both had lots of siblings and, in fact, Dad’s eldest brother married Mum’s eldest sister,” Stephen reveals. “There were always loads of kids around and it was during this time, when I was a child, that I became fascinated by entertainment. I would watch old Laurel and Hardy films with my granddad and he’d always say, 'Never mind Ollie, watch Stan'. Stan Laurel seemed to be doing little on the surface – it was Oliver Hardy who got all the obvious laughs. I’d watch Stan and saw what my granddad meant – it was Stan propelling the laughs. His humour was gentle, rather like Granddad’s in fact."
Stephen's daughter Daisy Ellen
Fast forward a generation or two and Stephen now introduces his favourite comedy shows to his daughter, Daisy. “We share a love of them,” he says. “Thanks to Youtube, we watch footage of the musical hall acts who inspired me and we also watch films together. I first showed her a DVD of Monty Python and the Holy Grail when she was about six and she totally got the humour on her own. I didn’t have to explain any of it so I guess it must be in the genes.”
So much so that Daisy (now age 21) has some ambitions to act herself. “Yes, she likes acting – unfortunately,” he half grimaces, half grins. “I’m very protective and have pointed out the pitfalls – such as doing two shows on a Wednesday in front of a half-full theatre and all that – but she hasn’t been put off. She adores it.
“She’s been bitten by the bug but she seems to manage the balancing act of doing drama and school work very well. If acting is ultimately what she wants to do and she feels she could make a go of it, I couldn’t be more delighted.”
Stephen Tompkinson net worth
According to website idolnetworth.com, Stephen's estimated net worth is around $10 million, which is around £745,165 in British pounds.