As a 12 year old I thought he was so cool in The Professionals...as a 53 Yr old I still think he's cool. He was an influence that showed me what a man should be...strong..dependable..brave & witty. What a sad end to a great man. Miss him.
I was about to say something similar...only I was born the year they started...however caught the re-runs in the 80's. Then rewatched them on DVD, then remarkable Blu-ray....
54 years old here, and same. Massive range for an actor, his camp Sheriff in that Robin of Sherwood is episode incredible! Could sing too, excellent stage actor and a skilled soldier in 'real life'. These are the role models we need.
He would of been brilliant as james bond.The james bond producer,Mr Cubby broccoli,said lewis acting was too aggressive.What on earth was the man talking about,back then.LOOK at the modern day james bond now!?💂♂🥷💂♀
Got quiet emotional watching this . When i was a kid me my brother and my Dad watched this every week mum had already passed . I am 58 now and the last man standing . Lewis should have been a huge star to me he had the same presense and persona as Connery . As Bond he would have rocked RIP Lewis and thanks you were the reason i watched the professionals .
Growing up seeing him in the Professionals with Martin Shaw as Bodie and Doyle they were brilliant. He was like the real life action man figure toy of that era. A true man’s man. RIP Lewis Collins!!!
Yes, I never understood the criticism he was too aggressive..He's an actor! and unfortunately I don't think he found a suitable vehicle to propel him forward..FATE and our loss...
@@paulcarter2907 In the Cuckoo Waltz he wasn't aggressive; he was charming. There must have been some otger reason. Anyway, he was an underutilised talent.
They missed out big time not signing Lewis Collins up to play James Bond, Lewis had all the charisma and toughness required for Bond RIP Lewis Collins 🙏
@@bond0666 He could've delivered the one liners like Sean & Roger but in his own way, now they say you should have someone who actually has a connection to the part they play, Lewis was a Martial Artist, think he could've got his head around the Combat scenes
I used to watch the professionals as a young girl and Lewis made my heart leap when he did that thing with his eyebrow. He was one very handsome man and a versatile talent to boot.
@@leonskum.5682 Me too. We used to organise our weekly band practice (pipes and drums) around the Professionals as our pipe major was a huge fan (along with half the band).
He was a great guy classy and lovely personality.He should have gone to the very top,far better than many of the so called stars and celebrities.A tragic end R.I,P. Lewis.
I remember a story concerning Lewis. He went to the same drop zone, Peterborough Parachute Centre to learn how to sky dive. One day he did a jump and landed very heavily. He shrugged it off and walked back to the packing sheds with his parachute - about half a mile from where he landed. It was only after he'd packed his kit ready for another jump that he checked his leg because it was still aching and it turned out that he'd broken it! The man was hard as nuts. He walked half a mile with a broken leg carrying a heavy parachute and never complained. He truly was as hard as Bodie from the Professionals.
I came across him at headcorn jump centre , he was alone so I invited him to join our small group but he opted to go solo. I think he might have been low experience level at the time, I’ve also had many happy days at Peterborough (sibson) great times and memories 👍
Lewis Collins was a childhood hero of mine and and still is. So charismatic and cool he should have been James Bond for sure. I still adore The Professionals over 40 years later and still watch the regularly. They just don’t know how to make TV dramas like that anymore, and even ended up having a silver Ford Capri just like Bodie’s. We lost Lewis way to soon but like all great hero’s the memories will go on. Thanks Lewis. 😉👍
R I.P. Lewis. A beautiful man and actor, loved his cheeky grin and voice.Such a sad ending to a,wonderful life.Absolutely loved the cast in The Professional's,only Martin left now 🏴🙏♥️👍
Met him in the late 70s and conversed by letter a couple of times. He seemed a lovely gentleman, with a cheeky smile and very charismatic. RiP dear Lewis. Always special in my memories.
I was born in 1967 but absolutely loved the professionals and bodie was my favourite ❤him too bits bless u Lewis.. It 💔when he died R. I. P Lewis gone but never forgotten.. He will always be remembered best for playing the womaniser tough guy that he was he was always after the women God bless u Lewis ❤️Ed u too bits in professionals you were a fantastic actor in everything u did R. I. P sweetheart
Yes, we’ll never know how good a Bond he might have made if they hadn’t continued to stick with Roger Moore for most of that 80s period. Same applies to Clive Owen in my opinion but I don’t believe he wanted the role particularly.
@@krishnan-resurrection714 If he is to be and the reports are to be believed, Idris Elba who was being touted for the role has ruled himself out as the next Bond a few days ago. I wouldn’t like to put any money on who will take the role next. It could be a left field selection in many ways as Daniel Craig was initially seen to be by the media.
That put a tear in my eye…and I’m a 58 year bloke. Great montage and a beautiful tribute to a guy who was a big part of my teenage years in the Professionals…thank you 🇬🇧👍👏
I've heard a lot of people talk about him in interviews, never heard anyone say a disparaging word about him. And like I said in a previous comment, he was everything he portrayed on screen. We lost a lot when he passed away.
Thanks for the memories of Lewis Collins. A great part of my youth watching him in the Professionals. I didn't realise he did so many different things in his career. R.I.E.P, gone but never forgotten.
I loved this man. A real man's man and a woman's man. Grew up watching him in The professionals with my brother and dad on a Friday night. My brother and I always wanted to be Bodie. I openly cried when I read the news he died. My hero and part of my life when the world was a better place.
Was lucky enough to meet Lewis when I was about 8 he was visiting a motor bike shop in South London at the height of the professionals popularity was so nice to me gave me his autograph still have it rest in peace sadly missed🙏💙
From an age of when actors portrayed men of morals, perfect for role models much needed today. You will be missed but never forgotten. R.I.P. Lewis Collins
Great tribute - many thanks ! Used to love the Professionals as a kid, and still do now I'm 53. As kids. my mate used to always want to play Doyle, and I by default was Bodie, which I was always extremely happy to be - great quote from Ashes to Ashes from Gene Hunt "We're a team: Bodie and Doyle. I'm the one in the SAS; you can be the one with the girl's hair."
My brother and I watched The Professionals every week religiously. I was Doyle and he was Bodie. It worked because I had curly hair and he bloody looked like him. Anyway, loved his work. And yes, he would have been an awesome Bond. Very sad he's no longer with us.
In my 20's I loved watching the Professionals, I was into cars and was going out enjoying myself. The Professionals were about that and the guys had a great sense of humour. Lewis was the type of guy I wanted to be and now at the age of 69 I find it so sad that he has gone. Many thanks for this great and interesting video which included parts of his life I never knew.
So sad but also so good. Unlike most of us, he will be remembered, and he will always have been a loss to the James Bond franchise. Very enjoyable watch.
Was on the same recruit carda for the Territorial Parachute Regiment as Lewis, difference was, Lewis wanted to do it and he did very well having a lot to live up too, I scraped through only joined because an acquaintance said "you won't make it" persevered, got through, went on to Parachute, got the wings😳as surprised as my family and people I new at the time were! Lewis you were an inspiration even though I only ever nodded to say hello, your presence made all on that carda including myself, push themselves even harder🙂 RIP!
Big salutes to you bro, and thanks for the lore and history of that time. What was it like milling in P Coy? Did you see who was milling against LC? How did they do?
@@LandersWorkshop I nearly didn't make it for not showing enough aggression and had to do another round with a young fella, got in a lucky uppercut that had him bite into his tongue, and floored the poor bloke! When I went to see if he was OK Sargeant Major White dragged me back and said "if you do you don't get your beret"! As I said earlier; I just scraped through, but still one of the proudest periods of my life, good discipline, I'm pushing 70 now ! All the best for your future hope it's a good one 👍 🙏
@@stevehoward3475 Thanks bro. I made it out of the army in the early 00s after a few years of good service. Brutal bro, glad you made it. Was it like the 1990s documentary where they made you stand up in the auditorioum for 'pass' or 'fail' announcements at the end?
Still can't believe he has gone and still plenty of yrs ahead of him. Just didn't understand how he didnt go onto superstardom..a great actor..fit..a genuine guy easy to work with could do comedy well too..was so good in The Cuckoo Waltz as Gavin.. Rest in Peace Lewis..
Born in 1970 i grew up watching the Professionals. I wanted to be Bodie, Doyle could sling his hook. For years now i've imagined that if ever im in LA, i would go see his resting place. Like many others have said i wished he had of been Bond. I really do think he would have been a fantastic Bond. He was my childhood hero, we all have one dont we ?
Really interesting story. I'd suggest that Lewis had the worst agent in acting history; some of those roles were truly atrocious! The Bond franchise definitely made an error by not choosing him.
It was sad that his acting career faded away even in the 1980s...surprised he could not find a place in a British soap as a sophisticated hardman...i was always found it even more sad he ended his days running a computer company in the US...
@@jcw9539 The film SAS - Who Dares Wins brought him to a wider movie audience... from TV. Hardly a bad decision for Lewis. The issue as they said at the time is that an element of the British press presented the movie as an attack on CND after the screen play pitched them as being infiltrated by a terrorist group (not CND themselves). This was typical of the left wing press elements who also attacked the real SAS in Ireland. I agree though on Codename Wildgeese - a dirge of a script, poor special effects and weak plotting, it didnt hold a candle to the original film with Richard Harris and Burton. A shame Lewis didn't get the chance to appear in that one.
Thanks for the effort in putting this together for history. RIP Lewis - you brought a lot of people (and teenage kids as Bodie) a great deal of pleasure. WDWs was a great action film, watched it again 2 nights ago.
I knew Lewis he was such a Great man a lot of fun had big respect for women and never a foul word came from him. Lewis was an excellent parachutist, many times I sat in the co-pilots seat climbing to 12000. feet then Lewis and all the other lads would depart the aircraft (Islander) to Free-fall. It is a VERY sad day having now learnt that Lewis is no longer with us. Lewis and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. And also All at the parachute club. Thank you Lewis for being you. RIP. JB. East Surrey. UK.
Oh gosh, so sad watching this. He was 10 yrs older than me and he was my hearthrob in the Professionals. I watched everything on TV that he was in. There was a lot of stuff in this video that I never knew about him; that he wanted to be in the SAS and that he was in the territorials. He was a real life action man for sure. So sad that such a vital, energetic and larger than life man should die of something so diminishing as cancer and so young. In the closing credits I will admit that I shed a few tears. RIP Lewis. 💝💝💝
Thank you for showing us this, he was a great actor and he would have been great as Bond. I loved watching him in the professionals. RIP Lewis you are not forgotten! xx
A truly Great British Actor. He was in things that I never even knew about, such as Z cars which I remember very well from when I was a youngster growing up in Liverpool. Lewis was a very versatile Actor and truly a Mans Man, the sort of guy that most young lads would look up to. I thought it was very touching that he took his sons and showed them where he grew up when he knew he was sick. RIP Lewis and thank you for giving us so much enjoyment.
Beautifully said. I was 21 years old when they showed "The Professionals" in Argentina in 1980. It was one of my favourite shows and I remember it with great affection. BTW, here goes a salute to another magnificent actor, the underrated Gordon Jackson (RIP). Lest We Forget.
@@arslongavitabrevis5136 Yes, you are right my friend. Gordon Jackson was another of the greats from an early age. From Upstairs downstairs to films such as The great Escape. RIP .
I never realised he had passed away, how sad; maybe I’d forgotten, happens at a certain age. I grew up watching The Professionals and Lewis was always supercool, with those dry humoured comments of his. I never realised he’d actually passed selection for the territorial SAS and was only rejected because he was a famous face. That gives his portrayal as an SAS trooper in Who Dares Wins even more credibility. RIP Lewis, hope you’re somewhere in paradise still giving grief to Cowley. 🙏
He DID NOT pass SAS selection. There's interviews with ex-SAS soldiers explaining what happened; he withdrew during selection. In any case 21 and 23 SAS selection is far removed from 22 SAS selection, which is far more arduous.
Imagine, James Bond played by a man who was a Reserve Parachute Regiment Soldier and who had passed the SAS Selection Course and Entry Requirements, and was physically tough and conditioned, in addition to being very good looking! Lewis Collins was a man of great presence, with a distinctive, cultured voice that was instantly recognisable, as was he. Loved by women and men alike (though probably for different reasons!) he was a truly unique character as a man and an actor! I was genuienly saddened when I heard of his untimely death, and like him, I was a Birkenhead lad.
Could never understand why he wasn't huge. Always seemed like he was about to hit big, but then... Could easily have been Bond. Deserves a decent biography.
Loved The Professionals as a kid, looking back the action was so exciting. Lewis left it to go to to LA way too late, might've done really well on TV shows there as his younger self. Massive charisma. Stallone is an enigma but I'm sure all of you out there can easily name a handful of young action stars that did not transition to mainstream no matter what their talent. Lewis did so many 'commando' movies that he was typecast out of what he may have wanted to move on to. Thanks for the memories & RIP
Cancer doesn't care if ur well known or not. I have c but life goes on if you born then your guaranteed to die if its not one thing it's another. That's life
I'm only about five miles from Weston on the Green but I always get amazed that it's still technically a RAF base as it's so tatty. Given that it's still used a fair bit they do need to tidy it up a bit.
He was a charming gentleman, and had a great sense of humour. He should have stayed in the uk where he was loved by many fans. He was only 3 years older than me, and considering how fit he was, it was such a shame he left us early. He is not forgotten.
God I remember back in the day me and my two brothers diving around the living room to the opening music of the professionals like we where CI5 operatives, happy days didn't realise Lewis Collins had passed away though, thanks for the memories Lewis R.I.P.
Thanks you so much for this great resume of Lewis Collins. Always loved watching the Professionals, as I am sure so many of us did back in the day, heard bits and pieces about Lewis after that, and that he had actually passed away. So very sad that such a fit and versatile actor and personality had such a sad end, that he never got the 007 part is a tragedy, I feel he would have made a great Bond. RIP Lewis, taken far too soon.
Such a charismatic actor.. in today's world and the actors in it Colin's would have been at the very top.. a British huge Jackman easily. What a wonderful tribute by the way.. can't believe how emotion that brought out watching this.
A wonderful actor with a great range. So sad he left us at still a young age, a life cut too short. The great Bond that never was .He would have been totally believable as Bond, having the charisma, the edge, the physical presence and also the humour to carry off the famous one liners. We miss you Lewis.
I didn't actually know that he'd passed. So sad. Thanks for posting this tribute.. A gorgeous man, in spite of the (often) awful hair, I had such a crush on him when he was in the Professionals, which was essential viewing, back then. I remember "Who Dares Wins," but not much else that he did.
Thanks; fell hopelessly I love with him in Professionals an Who Dares Wins. Such a strapping an magnificent physique. He were just so handsome,ruggedly sexy Whenever watching Shaw in drama series George Gently, I often thk bout Lewis.Thanks f clearing that up an putting my mind at rest. *Seemed like a Top bloke and will b sorely missed.*
What a great biography/tribute. I learned a good few things I hadn't seen or read before. Thank you! Such an ironic shame that Lewis, a genuine action man (whether he liked that epithet or not!) was turned down as Bond for being _"too aggressive"_ at a time when the franchise had veered away from the character's gritty origin and become something of a fey comedy series prior to going down the toilet - only to re-emerge years later with Daniel Craig successfully revitalising the role as an aggressive blunt instrument. It seems Mr. Collins was ahead of his time! As testament to this, watch his "This Is Your Life" episode (I think it's still on YT), and see how his previously jovial expression changes when a clearly unwanted (and entirely irrelevant to Lewis Collins' life and career) Jimmy Savile is unexpectedly introduced. Lewis Collins - sadly missed.
Not only Brits. I'm from Trinidad and Tobago and cried when I heard he had passed. I have the DVD series of The Professionals and re-watch them from time to time.
It’s absolutely amazing to think this Man passed the SAS Selection course ? He was definitely the only Man never to get the part of James Bond who should have, a real Action Man who had real charm and look’s unlike Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton who with all respect were phoney fake’s ( RIP Lewis ) 🙏🕊 .
@@carforumwanker Lewis passed the SAS selection course but SAS staff wouldn’t allow him to join due to his TV Fame , I hope that this helps you Mr Know all .
@@carlturner6625 Absolute crap . You have no idea at all have . Its a myth. He was TA and yes , he applied .But he NEVER completed the" official full selection course " .Does not mean he was not the type etc. But facts remain facts
@@carforumwanker to be fair Lewis passing the paras course that on its own is a fantastic achievement. i tried it, it is brutally hard. and you will find a high percentage of SAS are from the Paras.
![Twenty One Pilots - The Line (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCz7WUotXs8/mqdefault.jpg)
As a 12 year old I thought he was so cool in The Professionals...as a 53 Yr old I still think he's cool.
He was an influence that showed me what a man should be...strong..dependable..brave & witty.
What a sad end to a great man.
Miss him.
I was about to say something similar...only I was born the year they started...however caught the re-runs in the 80's. Then rewatched them on DVD, then remarkable Blu-ray....
I'm 53 and feel exactly the same way, I loved watching him in the show.
54 years old here, and same. Massive range for an actor, his camp Sheriff in that Robin of Sherwood is episode incredible! Could sing too, excellent stage actor and a skilled soldier in 'real life'. These are the role models we need.
He was so handsome, and fantastic in the professionals..
@@debdeb5782 He was the main man👍🏼....
With his looks and natural charisma, combined with his SAS training, he would have made a great James Bond.
Having met him I always said that. What a lovely guy ❤️
Agreed
Totally - he was the best Bond we never had.
He would of been brilliant as james bond.The james bond producer,Mr Cubby broccoli,said lewis acting was too aggressive.What on earth was the man talking about,back then.LOOK at the modern day james bond now!?💂♂🥷💂♀
Craig went for the same style as a realistic 007 Bond like Dalton did !
Got quiet emotional watching this . When i was a kid me my brother and my Dad watched this every week mum had already passed . I am 58 now and the last man standing . Lewis should have been a huge star to me he had the same presense and persona as Connery . As Bond he would have rocked RIP Lewis and thanks you were the reason i watched the professionals .
Nice one mate!
This touched me mate...Good luck to you 🙏 to Arfabiscuit
Television in those days had the ability to unite people, to mean so much to families. Your memories are beautiful - hold on to them.
Growing up seeing him in the Professionals with Martin Shaw as Bodie and Doyle they were brilliant. He was like the real life action man figure toy of that era. A true man’s man. RIP Lewis Collins!!!
💕
Charisma in buckets. I think he'd have been a great James Bond. RIP.
I liked him in The Professionals, but I don't see him as James Bond.
@BillyFreethought His accent was fine.
Yes, I never understood the criticism he was too aggressive..He's an actor! and unfortunately I don't think he found a suitable vehicle to propel him forward..FATE and our loss...
So true. Like Connery he had charisma yet also a ruthless edge.
@@paulcarter2907 In the Cuckoo Waltz he wasn't aggressive; he was charming. There must have been some otger reason. Anyway, he was an underutilised talent.
There are lots of actors who could play hard men, but Collins was a genuine hard man who could also act.
Great tribute to a fine actor still very much missed RIP LEWIS.
They missed out big time not signing Lewis Collins up to play James Bond, Lewis had all the charisma and toughness required for Bond RIP Lewis Collins 🙏
It was right at the feminist clap trap time
They said he was too aggressive to be bond, there were woke mob then aswell
@@bond0666 He could've delivered the one liners like Sean & Roger but in his own way, now they say you should have someone who actually has a connection to the part they play, Lewis was a Martial Artist, think he could've got his head around the Combat scenes
how right you are there
Cubby liked his James Bond actors over 6ft
I'm 51 now, he was SO handsome in The Professionals....all us kids loved the show
I used to watch the professionals as a young girl and Lewis made my heart leap when he did that thing with his eyebrow. He was one very handsome man and a versatile talent to boot.
I loved the Professionals, still watch it today when repeats are played.
I have the boxed set.😀
@@leonskum.5682 Me too!
@@leonskum.5682 Me too. We used to organise our weekly band practice (pipes and drums) around the Professionals as our pipe major was a huge fan (along with half the band).
Me too
Its on amazon prime every episode includes the banned episode too
The best James Bond we never had.
no ..that would have been Tom Bell ....
He would have been a great Bond.
Correct!!!!!!!!!!😁🇬🇧
He was too aggressive, James Bond is always charming and charismatic!!
Totally disagree, I always thought he was a wooden actor.
He was a great guy classy and lovely personality.He should have gone to the very top,far better than many of the so called stars and celebrities.A tragic end R.I,P. Lewis.
Lewis would have been proud of this....very well done
Nice one mate!
There are certain actors that stay with you throughout your life and Lewis was one of them, I miss him.
I remember a story concerning Lewis. He went to the same drop zone, Peterborough Parachute Centre to learn how to sky dive. One day he did a jump and landed very heavily. He shrugged it off and walked back to the packing sheds with his parachute - about half a mile from where he landed. It was only after he'd packed his kit ready for another jump that he checked his leg because it was still aching and it turned out that he'd broken it! The man was hard as nuts. He walked half a mile with a broken leg carrying a heavy parachute and never complained. He truly was as hard as Bodie from the Professionals.
I came across him at headcorn jump centre , he was alone so I invited him to join our small group but he opted to go solo. I think he might have been low experience level at the time, I’ve also had many happy days at Peterborough (sibson) great times and memories 👍
Lewis Collins was a childhood hero of mine and and still is. So charismatic and cool he should have been James Bond for sure. I still adore The Professionals over 40 years later and still watch the regularly. They just don’t know how to make TV dramas like that anymore, and even ended up having a silver Ford Capri just like Bodie’s. We lost Lewis way to soon but like all great hero’s the memories will go on. Thanks Lewis. 😉👍
R I.P. Lewis. A beautiful man and actor, loved his cheeky grin and voice.Such a sad ending to a,wonderful life.Absolutely loved the cast in The Professional's,only Martin left now 🏴🙏♥️👍
Totally agree Linda he was fantastic in all he did 👏😥sadly missed but never forgotten r.i.p Lewis.. one of the 👌 👍
Man of many talents, loved him in professionals and who dares wins
Ex 10 para TA and also passed SAS selection but he could not go operational so got RTU
Who dares wins was appalling !
@@ianwatson3315 in your opinion
He was my favourite in the Professional Wasn't aware that he had such a backlog of work.
R.I.P Lewis a man with excellent talents.
Met him in the late 70s and conversed by letter a couple of times. He seemed a lovely gentleman, with a cheeky smile and very charismatic. RiP dear Lewis. Always special in my memories.
An inspirational man, I am living with cancer right now, we've lost so many greats to cancer, bravo Lewis rest in peace
I was born in 1967 but absolutely loved the professionals and bodie was my favourite ❤him too bits bless u Lewis.. It 💔when he died R. I. P Lewis gone but never forgotten.. He will always be remembered best for playing the womaniser tough guy that he was he was always after the women God bless u Lewis ❤️Ed u too bits in professionals you were a fantastic actor in everything u did R. I. P sweetheart
Nice one melanie
@@MarkMahoney thank you Mark for your compliment.. Much appreciated 👍
A great guy and actor who is still remembered and loved in Birkenhead
Yes indeed... I loved the fact he went back there to show his kids his childhood home.........I too have fond memories of Birkenhead and its folk.
Would have been the best James Bond of the lot. A truly great actor and very much missed. R I P Lewis
Yes, we’ll never know how good a Bond he might have made if they hadn’t continued to stick with Roger Moore for most of that 80s period. Same applies to Clive Owen in my opinion but I don’t believe he wanted the role particularly.
Agree he would have been tough like Craig but suave like brosnan
No, too common to be Bond.
No doubt the next 'Bond' will be a black anyway .....!
@@krishnan-resurrection714 If he is to be and the reports are to be believed, Idris Elba who was being touted for the role has ruled himself out as the next Bond a few days ago. I wouldn’t like to put any money on who will take the role next. It could be a left field selection in many ways as Daniel Craig was initially seen to be by the media.
That put a tear in my eye…and I’m a 58 year bloke. Great montage and a beautiful tribute to a guy who was a big part of my teenage years in the Professionals…thank you 🇬🇧👍👏
A truly lovely guy, sadly missed.
My sister admired Lewis Collins so much that she named her second son Lewis.
One of my few boyhood idols in the late seventys early eighties. RIP Lewis, they were mad not making you Bond!
Yes I agree too mate
When I was about 8, watching The Professionals, I thought Lewis Collins was the coolest man alive.
He was a solid, reliable friend. I miss his weekly emails, jokes and attempts to coach my writing. Bless him.
I've heard a lot of people talk about him in interviews, never heard anyone say a disparaging word about him. And like I said in a previous comment, he was everything he portrayed on screen. We lost a lot when he passed away.
What a fortunate man you are!
@@t-__ Get over yourself. I never mentioned a name.
Thanks for the memories of Lewis Collins. A great part of my youth watching him in the Professionals. I didn't realise he did so many different things in his career. R.I.E.P, gone but never forgotten.
Loved this guy, he was truly a Professional
He was a really handsome man loved the professionals
A man of many talents.
Deserved more recognition than he got.
A man of many talents
R.I.P. Lewis Collins....
A very fine actor, and a tribute to his profession, sadly missed R.I.P Lewis.
I loved this man. A real man's man and a woman's man. Grew up watching him in The professionals with my brother and dad on a Friday night. My brother and I always wanted to be Bodie. I openly cried when I read the news he died. My hero and part of my life when the world was a better place.
Was lucky enough to meet Lewis when I was about 8 he was visiting a motor bike shop in South London at the height of the professionals popularity was so nice to me gave me his autograph still have it rest in peace sadly missed🙏💙
What were you doing in a motorbike shop at 8?
Wow.
From an age of when actors portrayed men of morals, perfect for role models much needed today.
You will be missed but never forgotten.
R.I.P. Lewis Collins
A fantastic actor, I still watch the Professionals even to this day. RIP 🌹 🙏🏽
🙏
A wonderful tribute to the man. I loved The Professionals as a kid, such a great era of tv. RIP Lewis.
🤜🤛
Huggy Bear was another good character on the program. Miss old huggy.
Great tribute - many thanks !
Used to love the Professionals as a kid, and still do now I'm 53.
As kids. my mate used to always want to play Doyle, and I by default was Bodie, which I was always extremely happy to be - great quote from Ashes to Ashes from Gene Hunt "We're a team: Bodie and Doyle. I'm the one in the SAS; you can be the one with the girl's hair."
👍👍
My brother and I watched The Professionals every week religiously. I was Doyle and he was Bodie. It worked because I had curly hair and he bloody looked like him. Anyway, loved his work. And yes, he would have been an awesome Bond. Very sad he's no longer with us.
💕
one of the best.still watching the professionals all these years later.the best bond we never had.his family should be proud.
A fitting tribute to great actor that I’m sure his family will really appreciate. 👌🏻🙏
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I watched him as child and found him illuminating
👍👍
In my 20's I loved watching the Professionals, I was into cars and was going out enjoying myself. The Professionals were about that and the guys had a great sense of humour. Lewis was the type of guy I wanted to be and now at the age of 69 I find it so sad that he has gone. Many thanks for this great and interesting video which included parts of his life I never knew.
Nice one mate
I'm nearly ten years younger but know what you mean
So sad but also so good. Unlike most of us, he will be remembered, and he will always have been a loss to the James Bond franchise. Very enjoyable watch.
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He was what you called "handsome"...a face that one could never tire of looking at and a versatile actor to boot. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎😀
Lewis Collins. In one word. Unique, Fantastic, un-replaceable, a great actor. Sadly missed but will never be forgotten
Bring back amazing memories when I was a kid what an incredible actor and real life hard man that passed the SAS entry!
RIP Lewis Collins. A great influence growing up for me and many.
Was on the same recruit carda for the Territorial Parachute Regiment as Lewis, difference was, Lewis wanted to do it and he did very well having a lot to live up too, I scraped through only joined because an acquaintance said "you won't make it" persevered, got through, went on to Parachute, got the wings😳as surprised as my family and people I new at the time were!
Lewis you were an inspiration even though I only ever nodded to say hello, your presence made all on that carda including myself, push themselves even harder🙂 RIP!
Another lovely tribute to him.
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Big salutes to you bro, and thanks for the lore and history of that time.
What was it like milling in P Coy? Did you see who was milling against LC? How did they do?
@@LandersWorkshop I nearly didn't make it for not showing enough aggression and had to do another round with a young fella, got in a lucky uppercut that had him bite into his tongue, and floored the poor bloke! When I went to see if he was OK Sargeant Major White dragged me back and said "if you do you don't get your beret"! As I said earlier; I just scraped through, but still one of the proudest periods of my life, good discipline, I'm pushing 70 now ! All the best for your future hope it's a good one 👍 🙏
@@stevehoward3475 Thanks bro. I made it out of the army in the early 00s after a few years of good service. Brutal bro, glad you made it. Was it like the 1990s documentary where they made you stand up in the auditorioum for 'pass' or 'fail' announcements at the end?
Definatly will never be forgotten. Good night and God bless you Lewis. ❤
Still can't believe he has gone and still plenty of yrs ahead of him. Just didn't understand how he didnt go onto superstardom..a great actor..fit..a genuine guy easy to work with could do comedy well too..was so good in The Cuckoo Waltz as Gavin.. Rest in Peace Lewis..
Great montage, Lewis was a great actor, I remember him mainly from the professionals, he's sadly missed by many....R.I.P Lewis.
👏👏👏A wonderful tribute to Lewis Collins! RIP Lewis rest in greatness❤️🦋
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What a man, What a Career, What a life, What a sad ending. RIP. You are greatly missed.
Your text just about sums Lewis up I didn’t know he. Had past on R.I.P he is so sadly missed ❤
Born in 1970 i grew up watching the Professionals. I wanted to be Bodie, Doyle could sling his hook. For years now i've imagined that if ever im in LA, i would go see his resting place. Like many others have said i wished he had of been Bond. I really do think he would have been a fantastic Bond. He was my childhood hero, we all have one dont we ?
A great British actor with such a cheeky smile. It was great that he was part of my childhood TV viewing.❤️
WOW...I'M BLOWN AWAY.....WHAT A ACTOR HE WAS...RIP LEWIS ...GOD BLESS
Really interesting story. I'd suggest that Lewis had the worst agent in acting history; some of those roles were truly atrocious! The Bond franchise definitely made an error by not choosing him.
So what’s new Eon have always made bad decisions. But they have an established audience and nothing to loose…
It was sad that his acting career faded away even in the 1980s...surprised he could not find a place in a British soap as a sophisticated hardman...i was always found it even more sad he ended his days running a computer company in the US...
@@jcw9539 The film SAS - Who Dares Wins brought him to a wider movie audience... from TV. Hardly a bad decision for Lewis. The issue as they said at the time is that an element of the British press presented the movie as an attack on CND after the screen play pitched them as being infiltrated by a terrorist group (not CND themselves). This was typical of the left wing press elements who also attacked the real SAS in Ireland. I agree though on Codename Wildgeese - a dirge of a script, poor special effects and weak plotting, it didnt hold a candle to the original film with Richard Harris and Burton. A shame Lewis didn't get the chance to appear in that one.
@Keyboard Dancers. He would have made a wicked Bond.
@@bajanb Not sure him as James Bond....
Lewis would've been an incredible Bond. Real shame we never got to see that , he was a great actor who will forever be missed .
RIP 👍👍👍
Thanks for the effort in putting this together for history. RIP Lewis - you brought a lot of people (and teenage kids as Bodie) a great deal of pleasure. WDWs was a great action film, watched it again 2 nights ago.
Wow! This was brilliant. I never knew he did so much during his lifetime. He was so talented and likeable. Thanks for this great video 🙏👌.
Nice one Jannie! Thanks for watching x
I knew Lewis he was such a Great man a lot of fun had big respect for women and never a foul word came from him.
Lewis was an excellent parachutist, many times I sat in the co-pilots seat climbing to 12000. feet then Lewis and all the other lads would depart the aircraft (Islander) to Free-fall.
It is a VERY sad day having now learnt that Lewis is no longer with us.
Lewis and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.
And also All at the parachute club.
Thank you Lewis for being you. RIP.
JB. East Surrey. UK.
An absolute hero. He would have been an AMAZING Bond (with the right director). Broccolli’s loss.
Lewis was a very underrated actor and loved watching him as a kid and an adult.
Oh gosh, so sad watching this. He was 10 yrs older than me and he was my hearthrob in the Professionals. I watched everything on TV that he was in. There was a lot of stuff in this video that I never knew about him; that he wanted to be in the SAS and that he was in the territorials. He was a real life action man for sure. So sad that such a vital, energetic and larger than life man should die of something so diminishing as cancer and so young. In the closing credits I will admit that I shed a few tears. RIP Lewis. 💝💝💝
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Thank you for showing us this, he was a great actor and he would have been great as Bond. I loved watching him in the professionals. RIP Lewis you are not forgotten! xx
Nice one rachael
A truly Great British Actor. He was in things that I never even knew about, such as Z cars which I remember very well from when I was a youngster growing up in Liverpool. Lewis was a very versatile Actor and truly a Mans Man, the sort of guy that most young lads would look up to. I thought it was very touching that he took his sons and showed them where he grew up when he knew he was sick. RIP Lewis and thank you for giving us so much enjoyment.
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Nicely said 👏🏿👏🏿
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Beautifully said. I was 21 years old when they showed "The Professionals" in Argentina in 1980. It was one of my favourite shows and I remember it with great affection. BTW, here goes a salute to another magnificent actor, the underrated Gordon Jackson (RIP). Lest We Forget.
@@arslongavitabrevis5136 Yes, you are right my friend. Gordon Jackson was another of the greats from an early age. From Upstairs downstairs to films such as The great Escape. RIP .
I never realised he had passed away, how sad; maybe I’d forgotten, happens at a certain age. I grew up watching The Professionals and Lewis was always supercool, with those dry humoured comments of his. I never realised he’d actually passed selection for the territorial SAS and was only rejected because he was a famous face. That gives his portrayal as an SAS trooper in Who Dares Wins even more credibility. RIP Lewis, hope you’re somewhere in paradise still giving grief to Cowley. 🙏
He DID NOT pass SAS selection. There's interviews with ex-SAS soldiers explaining what happened; he withdrew during selection. In any case 21 and 23 SAS selection is far removed from 22 SAS selection, which is far more arduous.
@@michaelanderson7715 OK but at least he was a para in the TA so had more cred than your average “luvvie” trying to portray a soldier.
@@justinneill5003 I wasn't disparaging him, just stating facts.
@@michaelanderson7715 its seriously not that easy , many ex regular soldiers have failed 21 and 23 selection
@@daverich2534 Yes, I know. And, I didn't say it was easy.
A really lovely tribute to a great actor, I agree with other comments, he would have been a brilliant Bond. RIP 💗
Good one Susanne :)
I loved the professionals as a kid. Great memories.
Imagine, James Bond played by a man who was a Reserve Parachute Regiment Soldier and who had passed the SAS Selection Course and Entry Requirements, and was physically tough and conditioned, in addition to being very good looking!
Lewis Collins was a man of great presence, with a distinctive, cultured voice that was instantly recognisable, as was he.
Loved by women and men alike (though probably for different reasons!) he was a truly unique character as a man and an actor!
I was genuienly saddened when I heard of his untimely death, and like him, I was a Birkenhead lad.
Well said that man
The role of James Bond was well beyond his capacity as an actor. He was mediocre at best.
@@stevecooper6515 Oh...it's you again.... Bore off. (Think the mold in that cellar is getting to you.)
@@stevecooper6515 Oooof. Shots fired!
Could never understand why he wasn't huge. Always seemed like he was about to hit big, but then... Could easily have been Bond. Deserves a decent biography.
Loved Lewis when i was growing up in the 70's, He should have been the next james bond of the time
The best Bond we never had. Amazing guy and sadly missed.
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Such a good looking man ❤ best of British ❤❤🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
A great tribute,to a great actor..we need more like him today.
Agree but he would never get parts in today's woke world.
@@darren253 Sadly I think you’re right, Oliver Reed would be another.
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Loved The Professionals as a kid, looking back the action was so exciting. Lewis left it to go to to LA way too late, might've done really well on TV shows there as his younger self. Massive charisma. Stallone is an enigma but I'm sure all of you out there can easily name a handful of young action stars that did not transition to mainstream no matter what their talent. Lewis did so many 'commando' movies that he was typecast out of what he may have wanted to move on to. Thanks for the memories & RIP
good point, maybe a switch to America or even Australia in the 1980s might have rebuilt him post professionals.
Wasn't aware of how much talent this man had. Amazing.
So sad that such a strong man ended up with cancer. RIP Lewis.
Cancer doesn't care if ur well known or not. I have c but life goes on if you born then your guaranteed to die if its not one thing it's another. That's life
Lewis was an accomplished skydiver. I met him at Weston on the Green Drop Zone. A thoroughly nice and polite chap.
Weston. That takes me back.
(216 Para Sig)
I'm only about five miles from Weston on the Green but I always get amazed that it's still technically a RAF base as it's so tatty. Given that it's still used a fair bit they do need to tidy it up a bit.
He was a charming gentleman, and had a great sense of humour. He should have stayed in the uk where he was loved by many fans. He was only 3 years older than me, and considering how fit he was, it was such a shame he left us early. He is not forgotten.
God I remember back in the day me and my two brothers diving around the living room to the opening music of the professionals like we where CI5 operatives, happy days didn't realise Lewis Collins had passed away though, thanks for the memories Lewis R.I.P.
I really liked Lewis Collins, such a handsome guy. Watched him loads in the professionals. 💗💗
Yessss
Thanks you so much for this great resume of Lewis Collins.
Always loved watching the Professionals, as I am sure so many of us did back in the day, heard bits and pieces about Lewis after that, and that he had actually passed away.
So very sad that such a fit and versatile actor and personality had such a sad end, that he never got the 007 part is a tragedy, I feel he would have made a great Bond. RIP Lewis, taken far too soon.
Welcome Derek!
never a better roll model for young boys the world over he was so cool when i was a child awesome r.i.p lewis collins
Such a charismatic actor.. in today's world and the actors in it Colin's would have been at the very top.. a British huge Jackman easily. What a wonderful tribute by the way.. can't believe how emotion that brought out watching this.
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A wonderful actor with a great range. So sad he left us at still a young age, a life cut too short. The great Bond that never was .He would have been totally believable as Bond, having the charisma, the edge, the physical presence and also the humour to carry off the famous one liners. We miss you Lewis.
I didn't actually know that he'd passed. So sad. Thanks for posting this tribute..
A gorgeous man, in spite of the (often) awful hair, I had such a crush on him when he was in the Professionals, which was essential viewing, back then.
I remember "Who Dares Wins," but not much else that he did.
I met him in The Old Bull 'n Bush pub Golders Green, London 1981. A very handsome man, down to earth too.
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R.I.P Lewis Collins, and thank you Mark for putting this lovely video together and information, have a great evening, Sonique 🙏🤗
Thanks; fell hopelessly I love with him in Professionals an Who Dares Wins. Such a strapping an magnificent physique. He were just so handsome,ruggedly sexy
Whenever watching Shaw in drama series George Gently, I often thk bout Lewis.Thanks f clearing that up an putting my mind at rest. *Seemed like a Top bloke and will b sorely missed.*
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What a great biography/tribute.
I learned a good few things I hadn't seen or read before. Thank you!
Such an ironic shame that Lewis, a genuine action man (whether he liked that epithet or not!) was turned down as Bond for being _"too aggressive"_ at a time when the franchise had veered away from the character's gritty origin and become something of a fey comedy series prior to going down the toilet - only to re-emerge years later with Daniel Craig successfully revitalising the role as an aggressive blunt instrument.
It seems Mr. Collins was ahead of his time!
As testament to this, watch his "This Is Your Life" episode (I think it's still on YT), and see how his previously jovial expression changes when a clearly unwanted (and entirely irrelevant to Lewis Collins' life and career) Jimmy Savile is unexpectedly introduced.
Lewis Collins - sadly missed.
Very well put together tribute to a man that means a great deal to a whole generation of Brits like me
Nice one Richard
Not only Brits. I'm from Trinidad and Tobago and cried when I heard he had passed. I have the DVD series of The Professionals and re-watch them from time to time.
It’s absolutely amazing to think this Man passed the SAS Selection course ? He was definitely the only Man never to get the part of James Bond who should have, a real Action Man who had real charm and look’s unlike Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton who with all respect were phoney fake’s ( RIP Lewis ) 🙏🕊 .
Its 2022 ...for the love of God , stop believing all the crap about Lewis and the SAS
@@carforumwanker Lewis passed the SAS selection course but SAS staff wouldn’t allow him to join due to his TV Fame , I hope that this helps you Mr Know all .
@@carlturner6625 Absolute crap . You have no idea at all have . Its a myth. He was TA and yes , he applied .But he NEVER completed the" official full selection course " .Does not mean he was not the type etc. But facts remain facts
@@carforumwanker to be fair Lewis passing the paras course that on its own is a fantastic achievement. i tried it, it is brutally hard. and you will find a high percentage of SAS are from the Paras.
@@carlturner6625 you are perfectly correct 👍 a lot of the DS at the time wanted him to join the Reg but the higher ranks wouldn’t allow it
I lived to watch Bodie, doyle and cowley as a child....all great actors
He sounds as if he was a courages man. I hadn’t realised he had so many strings to his bow. His children must be very proud
What-a great expression I never heard that before
Yeh the professionals was the most popular but for sure watching this tribute you can see soo much more depth
Always new I loved this man
RIP Bodie 🌹