Lyndam Gregory, an actor known for roles in Coronation Street and EastEnders, has died aged 59 from lung cancer, despite never having smoked. His wife, Christine, confirmed the news in a tribute published in The Guardian.
Career highlights
Born in Darjeeling, India, Gregory was the son of a tea planter, while his mother, Marina, worked as a teacher. In the early 1960s, his father, Neville, moved the family from India to London. Gregory trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and made his professional debut in a production of The Blue Monster at the Arts Theatre in London.
His wife said: "Lyndam began his working life in a bank but always aspired to work as an actor on television, having been beguiled by black-and-white programmes when he arrived in London."
Soap roles
Gregory's first television role came in 1979 when he was cast as Latif Khan in Rumpole of the Bailey. Four years later, he won the role of Sammy Patel in Coronation Street. He also voiced the character of Ashok in The Archers radio programme.
His career breakthrough arrived in 1995 when he landed the part of Guppy Sharma on EastEnders, a role he played for 12 months. In her tribute, Christine said: "Lyndam loved being in the soaps, although the wide audience they attracted meant that many complete strangers would approach him as though they had known him for years. He enjoyed filming EastEnders at Elstree studios because of its association with landmark films."
Other work and passing
Gregory also appeared in the comedy Surgical Spirit between 1989 and 1992, as well as in The Bill, London's Burning, Casualty and Doctors. He narrated audio books. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2013 and died 12 months later. He is survived by his wife and daughter, Dominique.
