– Tom Chadbon died on July 18
– His death was first announced by his daughter, Felicity Hayles, on Instagram on Tuesday, July 21
– Fantom Events/Films announced his death on July 27 (Sunday)
– Direct quotes from Fantom Events, Tom Baker, Cavan Scott, Lisa Bowerman, Felicity Hayles, and fans on social media
– His most famous roles: Duggan in Doctor Who’s City of Death (1979), Merdeen in The Trial of the Time Lord (1986), Game of Thrones, Peep Show, Casino Royale
– He was born February 27, 1946, in Luton, Bedfordshire
Tom Chadbon, an actor known for his memorable roles in Doctor Who and Peep Show, has died aged 80, with news announced by Fantom Films on social media.
He passed away on Saturday, July 18
, and
his daughter, Felicity Hayles, first announced his death on Tuesday, July 21.
Felicity took to her Instagram account to reveal the sad news of her father’s passing, with a post reading, “My beautiful, witty and wonderful daddy, the best I could ever have wished for. His legacy lives on in his art and for that we are eternally grateful ❤️ 🕊️,” and concluding with his lifespan, “🍃🪶27/2/1946 -18/7/2026🪶🍃.”
Official word came later from his representatives.
Fantom Films, which has been putting on Doctor Who-related events for fans since 2005, announced on July 27th that “We are sorry to hear the news that Tom Chadbon passed away last weekend” and “Tom was a familiar face to many from his numerous television and film credits. He was always a warm and friendly man to work with and we send our condolences to his family at this sad time,” having been informed of his passing by the Chadbon family.
For many, Chadbon was best known for his role as Duggan in Doctor Who’s ‘City of Death’ in 1979, which saw him go head-to-head with Tom Baker’s Doctor.
Tom Baker himself praised Chadbon’s performance decades later.
In a 2009 interview, Baker said, “Oh, and Tom Chadbon was terribly funny. Terribly funny! I used to love the other actors – I was always trying to help them make things funnier, or more dramatic.”
He cemented his status as a legend in the eyes of Doctor Who fans when he returned to the show in 1986, playing Merdeen, a servant to the robot Drathro, in “The Trial of the Time Lord”.
Fellow writer Cavan Scott paid homage on social media.
“So sorry to hear the passing of the great Tom Chadbon who I shared many a happy studio session with while producing Blake’s 7, not to mention the storyfilled meals after recordings. An absolute gent. God speed, Tom,” Scott wrote on Instagram.
In 2008, Chadbon appeared in a series five episode of Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show, playing Martin, the new boyfriend of Jeremy’s mother.
His final TV role was High Septon Maynard in the seventh season of Game of Thrones, and film-wise, he had roles in The Beast Must Die (1974), Juggernaut (1974), Tess (1979) and 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale, playing a stockbroker.
Doctor Who star Lisa Bowerman offered her own tribute.
“Oh no… I hadn’t heard. How incredibly sad. He was wonderful,” she wrote.
Fans flooded social media with memories of the beloved character actor.
One follower of Felicity Hayles wrote, “Love This pic of him ❤️ what a super man🫶🏻 so much love to you all 🩷,” while another said, “oh I’m so sorry to hear that your Father died – sending love to you all 💖,” and someone else commented, “Heartbroken for all of you – you are all so much in my thoughts ❤️.”
On another Instagram post by a Doctor Who fan, one individual commented, “R.I.P. Tom Chadbon he was a great actor, and Duggan was such an iconic character,” another noted, “Wonderful actor,” and a third wrote, “Rest in Piece, legend ❤️.”
Meanwhile, Peep Show fan account Dobby Club paid tribute to Chadbon, writing: “RIP to the legend Tom Chadbon who starred in Peep Show as Martin aka Indiana Ashdown.”
X users also shared their appreciation for his most celebrated role.
“city of death is the best episode of the entire tom baker run and chadbon’s performance as duggan is a really big part of why it’s so entertaining,” one X user commented.
His career spanned around 120 film and television productions.
In the viral moment that made Duggan unforgettable,
Chadbon played the character opposite Tom Baker’s Doctor in the 1979 serial City of Death.
Duggan is commonly considered to be one of Doctor Who’s greatest one-off characters.
The detective brought a comedic energy to the sci-fi adventure, with Baker noting in 2009 that Chadbon was skilled at making scenes both funnier and more dramatic.
Chadbon’s turn as Duggan won him over with the Doctor Who fanbase, and he also left an impression on Baker.
The role became iconic enough that when Chadbon returned to Doctor Who in 1986, fans celebrated his comeback.
No cause of death has been revealed.