Tributes have been paid to EastEnders actor Nicholas Ball, after his agent revealed he’s died at the age of 78.
The actor ‘passed away following a short illness’ following a ‘successful acting career on stage and screen spanned an impressive six decades’.
Terry played gang lord Terry Bates in BBC soap EastEnders, who attacked Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) while smashing up the Queen Victoria pub, and in the drama Footballers’ Wives took on the role of the chairman of the club and ex-rock star Garry Ryan.
And some fans and former co-stars have taken to X to share tributes, including EastEnders’ official social media account.
Posting a statement, alongside a snap of Terry’s role on EastEnders, they wrote: ‘We are saddened to hear that Nicholas Ball has passed away. Our thoughts are with Nicholas’ family and friends.’
Tributes have been paid to EastEnders actor Nicholas Ball, after his agent revealed he’s died at the age of 78 (pictured in 2018)
The actor (pictured as gang boss Terry Bates) ‘passed away following a short illness’ following a ‘successful acting career on stage and screen spanned an impressive six decades’
Actor Arthur Wilde posted: ‘Very sad to hear about the passing of the great Nicholas Ball today. I had the honour of working with him on what will be his final role.
‘He was warm, friendly and so very gracious. I’m honoured to have acted alongside him.’
Other tributes included: ‘Very sad to hear that the brilliant Nicholas Ball has passed away. He was Red Dwarf’s original simulant, and turned in a hugely memorable performance. RIP;’
‘Saddened to hear of the death of Nicholas Ball aged 78 who has died after a short illness. Known for TV series such as Hazell, EastEnders and Footballers Wives. RIP;’
‘Farewell sir, and thank you. #NicholasBallRIP #NicholasBall;’
‘Nicholas Ball, a great actor. Rest in peace. Loved him in the television series HAZELL.’
In a statement, Ball’s agent said he ‘passed away following a short illness’ and that his ‘successful acting career on stage and screen spanned an impressive six decades’.
Nicholas starred on EastEnders between 2007 and 2009 before his character Terry was arrested and found guilty for the murder of Jase Dyer (played by Stephen Lord) in one of the show’s biggest storylines.
And some fans and former co-stars have taken to X to share tributes, including EastEnders’ official social media account
Some of Nicholas’ fans and former co-stars also shared their own touching tributes
In a statement, Ball’s agent said he ‘passed away following a short illness’ and that his ‘successful acting career on stage and screen spanned an impressive six decades’
Terry was written out of the show when he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Jase. It was later revealed that the character died in 2019 with scenes showing his wife Viv Bates (Dido Miles) organising his funeral.
Nicholas was also the lead in private detective show Hazell as the main character, James ‘Jim’ Hazell, who is a cockney former policeman originally created by Gordon Williams and footballer Terry Venables, who wrote books under the name PB Yuill.
Hazell ran for two series betwee 1978-1979 over 22 one hour episodes, with Nicholas starring opposite Roddy McMillan as Detective Inspector ‘Choc’ Minty.
Ball also appeared in episodes of crime shows Jonathan Creek, Hustle, Heartbeat and Bergerac along with comedies Red Dwarf and The Young Ones and drama The Crezz.
He also had roles in small and big screen films including war drama Overlord, thriller Rogue Male, crime drama The Krays: Dead Man Walking and Jilly Cooper adaptation The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous.
Ball recently filmed the 2024 rural-set drama The Kingdom By The Sea, opposite Coronation Street actress Rula Lenska.
He was also a prolific voice artist, narrating books from such authors as Christopher Hitchens and James Maybrick in recent years.
He was the lead in private detective show Hazell as the main character, James ‘Jim’ Hazell, who is a cockney former policeman originally created by Gordon Williams and Terry Venables
In the drama Footballers’ Wives he took on the role of the chairman of the club and ex-rock star Garry Ryan
Nicholas had been expected to reprise his role as David Willis in Trafficking 2, and was schedulled to voice the narrator in the upcoming The Loneliest Cow animation.
He is survived by his widow Ayda.
Ball was previously married to comedian Sir Billy Connolly’s second wife, the comedy actress turned therapist Pamela Stephenson following them meeting on the set of Not The Nine O’Clock News.
Fans paid tribute on Thursday with one tweeting: ‘Nicholas Ball was absolutely brilliant as Terry Bates in EastEnders. One of the show’s more underrated villains.’
Ball was previously married to comedian Sir Billy Connolly’s second wife, the comedy actress turned therapist Pamela Stephenson following them meeting on Not The Nine O’Clock News
Nicholas appeared in Tales Of The Unexpected opposite Glynis Barber in 1988
He also had roles in small and big screen films including 1985’s Claudia
