The Bishop Auckland-born entertainer began as a comic on the North-East club circuit, teaming up with Peter Lambert to become Lambert and Ross, a duo that became nationally known. When the partnership folded in the 1980s, Willie became a successful actor, with hits in film, TV and on stage. His big break was as the foul-mouthed father in the film Rita, Sue and Bob Too. He went on to acclaimed roles in Ken Loachs Riff Raff and Peter Greenaway's The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. On TV he was seen in Our Friends In The North, and One Foot In The Grave, to name but a few. He died in 2000, following an accident at home. He was 62.
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
1989
Blow Dry
2001
Restoration
1995
Rita, Sue and Bob Too
1987
Swept from the Sea
1998
Honest
2000
Riff-Raff
1991
Hillsborough
1996
A Pinch of Snuff
1994
Dealers
1989
Doomwatch: Winter Angel
1999
Loop
1997
And a Nightingale Sang
1989
Road
1987
Purely Belter
2000
Secret Society
2000
Bodywork
2001
Lucky Sunil
1988
Treacle
1987
The Nature of the Beast
1988
The Storyteller: Fearnot
1988