Paul Darrow Remembered

[@Problembeing]

“I’m not expendable, I’m not stupid, and I’m not going.” - He always had the best lines.

[@mangogirl19]

Wasn’t that one of Vila’s lines?

[@grown-upactress4155]

Nope, Avon said it to Villa.

[@pablohanc]

He did have most of the best lines, a.though I think the very best was spoken to Avon, not by him. "Vila weighs 73 kilos".

[@Problembeing]

@@pablohanc the look afterwards though 🤣

[@pablohanc]

@@Problembeing oh yes!! Vila was in trouble lol

[@mtpaley1]

RIP. Blakes 7 would not have worked without him. The best character by far and perfect acting.

[@davidbrooks187]

One of the best British character actors 🇬🇧. Rest in peace Paul, thanks for the great performances & memories .

[@foxyshabazz]

He was the best thing in Blakes 7 by a country mile. He really deserved to be a much bigger star. I remember squealing with delight when I heard his voice in a Star Wars video game in the early 2010s, but it also made me sad that it wasn't a Hollywood movie or a high-profile TV show.

[@Thrawn1]

What star wars video game was he in?????

[@foxyshabazz]

@@Thrawn1 An online MMORPG called Star Wars: The Old Republic. His role is pretty small, so there wasn't all that much to enjoy, but it made my day when I heard him speak. The game is still up and running as far as I know.

[@Thrawn1]

@@foxyshabazz thanks

[@andrewhuckle803]

I never met Paul, but occasionally you hear of the death of someone famous and it really makes a difference to you emotionally. His death was such a moment. In the character of Avon he created one of the best sci fi characters ever. RIP Paul. Forever Avon.

[@dianagibson5838]

I was lucky enough to meet Paul a few times at conventions and theatres. I can honestly say he was such a nice gentleman and he loved and respected his fans. He was well loved by his many fans. An incredibly sexy man with the most wonderful smile. I will always miss him.

[@redpillnibbler4423]

He had that certain charisma.

[@chrislefebvre5200]

He was awesome in Blake's 7, my favorite character

[@cpnurseries]

Absolutely superb. I loved it. Thank you. RIP Paul old friend.

[@dr.impossibleofcounterpunc1984]

The voice was timeless. Darrow looked good and fitted Avon like an inter-galactic glove. Blake's 7 was a master class in British sci-fi. Never again shall we see an actor play a part that was so ruthless, had all the best lines, and looked terrific in leathers. Yep, Paul Darrow had it all. Lucky bastard. God rest your soul....

[@chriswood7794]

The interest has never faded. In time, more people realise your brilliance. Mr Paul Darrow, Sir.

[@1fires1]

I always found the dialogue in Blakes Seven fascinatating especailly by Paul. Was like Shakespear only in space. Was what made him and the show so great. He really was Avon I think. 😉

[@rolandrothwell4840]

Paul Darrow was a superb character actor - lovely speaking 🔊 voice RIP and thank you for all you've given the public 🙏

[@blaynejensen1488]

Thank you so much from this American fan of Paul.

[@rowdyreidgirl]

Rest in peace, Paul ❤️

[@brycem0]

Well worth a read, is his book. " You're him, aren't you?" One of his best lines in Blake 7. " Are you that sick of living, that you put Villa on watch duties?"...😆

[@eastlynburkholder3559]

Love that line. ...So sick of living ....

[@Problembeing]

Avon Lives!

[@Villafarrell]

Thank you!! That was SO WELL edited!!! Loved the section of Avon being 'right' 👍

[@theusefulchannel]

I saw him in Guards! Guards! in the late 90s, hugely funny.

[@FishpondsLady]

My kittens are called Avon and Vila. There are very few people who get the reference but I was talking to a chap in a newsagent's whilst buying litter for them and he said "Blake's Seven! I loved that show!" And then we had a nice chat about how it was the best SF programme ever 😊

[@redpillnibbler4423]

Love it 👍

[@eastlynburkholder3559]

Did Avon like Villa more than he seemed to? He played Elvis ? Did not know that.

[@redpillnibbler4423]

@@eastlynburkholder3559 Avon was self serving but not evil.I believe if it came to it he would risk his life for Villa or the others,then make out it was for his own benefit to save face.

[@eastlynburkholder3559]

@@redpillnibbler4423 yes i agree. I love episide where Avonnand Villa are in the space craft going toncrash back into the plsnet. Woukd Abkn toss Villa out of the airlock ? Villa taking no chances is hidimg from Avon.

[@eddyeroyal6024]

I liked the show when i was young, and 1970’s

[@jonathan45278]

I cannot imagine my life without Blakes 7 and the character Avon in the early 80s. To me, everything was Blakes 7 and to a slightly lesser extent, Doctor Who and Star Wars. Recently, I saw an interview of Paul Darrow being interviewed and he mentioned that he was a big Humphrey Bogart fan. If you watch Paul playing Avon you can see a bit of Humphrey Bogart in him. It's subtle but it's there.

[@ElizabethEllenCarter]

A former neighbour worked on Blake's 7 as one of the set designers. Paul Darrow was her favourite and she loved being assigned to a location shoot with him because he was so much fun and new the best places to dine. He is missed.

[@michaeljw3602]

Iconic actor, loved him as Avon, full of wit and one liners and I had the pleasure of meeting him, wonderful charming man ..

[@blossie33]

Brilliant! He was a very good actor but I really loved his Avon character ❤ Blake's 7 was a great series 😊

[@jeremysaunders9916]

I am 62 and just visiting Blakes 7 again, brings back many happy memories. Paul Darrow as Avon was the actor that glued the series together he had such presence.

[@lsolo9536]

For me, at that time, there was two actors I became a big fan of, one was Harrison Ford, for Star Wars, Indiana Jone and Blade Runner, and the other was Paul Darrow as Kerr Avon, he was perfectly cast in Blake’s 7,

[@marktaylor4674]

I saw him on stage a couple of times in the early 1980's. A very charismatic actor.

[@eastlynburkholder3559]

And funny and he had gravitas

[@elisamcgowan4774]

What a FAB actor, so versatile!.

[@Eltonlaleham]

Paul Darrow nailed the part of Avon in Blake,s Seven, like Jackie Pearce nailed the part of arch-enemy and regular arch-villain Servalan and no other actors could ever play those awesome characters.

[@patricklane8694]

A perfect tribute!! Paul will be forever missed. 💙

[@BiserAngelov1]

Such an underrated actor.

[@ellenthorne8222]

Avon and Villa are my favourites in B7. RIP Paul❤❤

[@leepshin]

I always wanted a B7 reboot with Paul reprising the role of Avon. Now it'll never happen which is a great shame.

[@silvereagle2061]

I remember Darrow saying that in his role as Avon, he tried to channel his inner "Robert Vaughn", and I can see a lot of that in just about everything I saw him in.

[@captbumbler5356]

I always thought he was one of the best actors I have ever seen

[@petercampbell8694]

WOW! - Just realised, Paul Darrow would have made a BRILLIANT Sherlock Holmes (if he already hadn’t) 😳 - ALSO a wonderful DR Who!!

[@entropytango5348]

He made Blakes 7 amazing, he will be missed

[@silvereagle2061]

I loved everything about "Blake's 7" except the last episode.

[@paulmarkmoffat4638]

Brilliant actor RIP Paul Thank you the great performances

[@esecallum]

Forever Avon

[@petergibbs]

I always thought Paul Darrow would have made a great 'Master' in Dr Who.

[@richardbryant7148]

As close to perfection as one would care to mention.

[@stuartmenziesfarrant]

I think Paul Darrow is an underrated actor. I could see him cast in much bigger movies.

[@obiemichaels9675]

Avon really made the show

[@grown-upactress4155]

He was crazy talented and versatile, yes. But, holy crap was the man sexy.

[@RemusKingOfRome]

A great actor, sad he passed.

[@thebull3206]

When Doctor Who first aired in the NYC area in late 1978, no one cared - but at 11am on Saturday morning there was Blake's Seven and it was like WOW! For two seasons, the best damn space opera EVER!

[@rolandrothwell4840]

Goodbye Paul Darrow you were wonderful! Thank you 😊

[@mylesl2890]

wow didn't know he passed. i really loved B7 and thought he was. great. sigh

[@davidpaternoster5419]

Wonderful versatile actor RIP

[@MrDCG1969]

Forever Avon ❤

[@lucaschapman2188]

Remember when Blake’s 7 finished for good . Ruined my Christmas 😢

[@AndrewHillis_2024]

MY FAVOURITE AVON LINE (OF WHICH THERE WERE MANY!!!),"STAND STILL ! ! ! YOU BETRAY ME ? ? ?"👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@octaviusfooks7194]

Tarrant doesn’t understand!

[@Wolf359inc]

Even as a wee nipper, watching Blakes 7, I knew there was something special about Paul Darrow. And then I started seeing him in other shows - old episodes of Doctor Who, etc. He always stood out, and made whatever role he played his own. I didn’t hear about his passing until some two years after the fact, when I realised I hadn’t checked the Horizon website for some time. Thanks for sharing all the clips from various other productions he was involved with - I hadn’t seen several of these, and it was good to hear him with different voices, as opposed to his own, natural tones. I doubt there will ever be another show like Blakes 7, just as there will never be another Firefly. They can reboot them, and spin them off all they want, but it won’t be the same. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to see another show set in those respective ‘verses…

[@redpillnibbler4423]

He had real charisma.

[@ThornyroseSGA]

Good actor, played one of the greatest characters on tv sci fi, and an absolutely lovely man in real,life. Had the pleasure of meeting him after a performance of Guards! Guards!" And he was kind enough to give up a fair bit of time talking to some of his fans and the stray yank tagging along with them.

[@MAZE4]

Paul Darrow was a marvelous actor, I hope he's up there in heaven.

[@MAZE4]

He read the script, and immediately knew how to treat his fellow actors.

[@TillyOrifice]

It pisses me off that he's dead. Blake's 7 was a terrific show and it was Darrow's character, brilliantly written and wonderfully acted, that made it.

[@Sartori1970]

My biggest regret was not going to see him play Vimes in the Guards Guards play.

[@thoughtsonnarrowboatingwit3882]

Would’ve loved to have seen him turn up as Avon like villain on Babylon 5 … I would’ve rooted for him the whole way!

[@themisspultone]

along with B7 I remember Darrow for the pc game Hostile Waters. dam he had a voice

[@user-jt5vm3mi1w]

Blakes 7 best

[@PrincessRuthChristian]

This reminder face man from the a team 😊

[@speedymccreedy8785]

I always thought the best commentary on Avon was from a line by Villa, "You know I like to stick with you, Avon, where it's safe".

[@eastlynburkholder3559]

I am sure Avon gave a not reassurimg sneer in response.

[@slammindonutsmuchalucha-th3100]

Bravo - you got the Flaxton Boys appearance!

[@exewingfundraisers883]

Oh Yes! The hardest part was leaving so much out..........

[@slammindonutsmuchalucha-th3100]

@@exewingfundraisers883 Great job. I remember him totally stealing that episode when he appeared at the docks.

[@colinmoore7460]

I didn't know he'd played Captain Vimes in Guards Guards!

[@FlashPan73]

I remember being quite suprised a good few years ago he appeared in a sketch in Little Britain playing a MP and being vomited on (and all over) by a character played by David Walliams. He was amazing in Blakes 7 as the sort of anti hereo, cold hearted, cruel and unflapable. To me he had one of the voices that didn't change much and gave an aura of authority and control.

[@Kerr-Avon]

Brill

[@tungstenkid2271]

Paul was once asked in an interview "Would you like to play Dr Who?" to which he replied with a mischievous smile- "Yes, but I'd play him MY way"..:) PS- I'd recommend getting the boxed set, it's full of behind-the-scenes stuff and bloopers etc..:)

[@AndrewHillis_2024]

AVON WAS THE GREATEST TELEVISION BADASS BASTARD OF ALL TIME ! ! !👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@eamonmcdermott4032]

He would've made a first rate Sherlock Holmes. Excellent in the Dorothy L. Sayers tv adaptation of Murder Must Advertise and, of course, at the top of his game as Kerr Avon in Blake's 7. R. I. P. Paul Darrow.

[@Cornz38]

It would be fair to say some of Avon's acerbic attitude rubbed off onto me during my formative and B7 years!

[@Staceyatkinson4496]

We all know when darrow smiles people die

[@marleypumpkin4917]

This video shows how people nowadays have the attention span of a gnat.

[@kingarthurusatenniscoach1415]

Great actor Yet his vice was smoking. He lost his legs in later life through his smoking

[@locutus155]

Didn't he play an NPC in Assassin's Creed?

[@tuberworksjones]

It was good up until the point they started playing Elvis Presley

[@boofuls]

Didn't really fit in

[@exewingfundraisers883]

A fair comment, but it was Paul's favourite Rock Star and he loved playing him on stage. Also, 'Devil in Disguise' could apply to many characters from Blake's 7.

[@diskgrinder]

A bit of the Laurence Oliviers there. No less brilliant for all that