John Altman
John Altman in 2014
Born
John Clarkson Stewart

2 March 1952 (1952-03-02) (age 71)
NationalityBritish
OccupationActor/Singer
Years active1976–present[1]
Notable workSee below
TelevisionEastEnders (1985–1991, 1993, 1998, 2000–2001, 2008–2009, 2014–2015)
Spouse
Bridget Poodhun
(m. 1986; div. 1997)
Children1

John Clarkson Stewart (born 2 March 1952), known as John Altman, is an English actor and singer, perhaps best known for playing Nick Cotton in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. He was among the show's original cast members appearing in the first episode in February 1985 and appeared on the show on and off as a recurring character. His character was killed off in the 30th anniversary episode of the show which aired in February 2015. Altman has also appeared in several films, television series and stage productions. In 2010, he became the new frontman of the band Heavy Metal Kids following the death of former frontman Gary Holton in 1985.

Early life

Altman was born in Reading, Berkshire, elder son of Cecil Clarkson Stewart (1921-1995), a first-class clerk at the Bank of England, and Tina Florence (1920–2016), daughter of actor Johnnie Schofield. He and his younger brother William were raised at Herne Bay, Kent.[2][3]

Career

Altman made his acting debut in the 1979 film The First Great Train Robbery where he played a minor role. Also in 1979, he portrayed musician George Harrison in the biographical television film Birth of The Beatles. He made brief appearances in several other films including Quadrophenia (1979), An American Werewolf in London (1981) and Memoirs of a Survivor (1981). In 1980, Altman worked as a model in creating prototypes of the Hawkmen that appear in the Dino De Laurentiis–produced film, Flash Gordon[4] but did not appear in the film itself. In 1982, Altman played the role of a Royal Navy rating alongside Timothy Spall in the Channel 4 film Remembrance. Altman also featured in a 1982 short public information film, "Stupid Git",[5] part of the British government's campaign against drink-driving.

In 1985, he began appearing as Nick Cotton in the new BBC television soap opera EastEnders, appearing in the first episode on 19 February that year. Altman was axed from the show the following year after Executive Producer Julia Smith told writers to 'write him out' of the show after he opposed a decision to make his character gay.[6] However, he went on to make recurring appearances on the show over a span of nearly 30 years. He has had a major role in many famous storylines in the show including the murders of Reg Cox (whose body was found in the first episode) and Eddie Royle, his attempt to kill his own mother Dot by poisoning her and his various feuds with characters including Pete Beale, Den Watts and Mark Fowler. He also contributed towards the death of his own son Ashley by sabotaging a motorbike which Ashley ended up stealing and crashing.

His character was also given his own television spin-off episode titled Return of Nick Cotton which was completely centered around his character and aired in October 2000.

In 2015, his character was killed off in the episode that aired on 13 February 2015 and he made his final appearance as a corpse in the episode that marked the 30th anniversary of the show on 19 February 2015. His body was found in the same way as his victim Reg Cox was found in the first episode 30 years earlier. A year earlier, his character's death had been announced in the show, only for it to emerge within a few months that Nick had faked his own death.

In 1991, he played Thomas de Quincy in Malcolm Mclaren's 'The Ghosts of Oxford Street', where he appeared outside a purported subterranean 'Boots Apothecary', the origin of an urban myth that there is a parallel abandoned Victorian shopping street 'under' Oxford Street, London. This was actually the under-pavement storage vaults of 20-22 Stratford Place.[7]

Away from television, he also appeared in an adult pantomime, which released on video in 1994 titled Pussy in Boots. In the pantomime he appeared alongside fellow EastEnders cast members Mike Reid and Barbara Windsor. In 2001 he won the Rear of the Year Award alongside Claire Sweeney.[8] In the same year he also performed in the Leiber and Stoller tribute evening at the Hammersmith Apollo, singing Trouble, originally performed by Elvis Presley.

In 2002, he toured around the UK playing Billy Flynn in the long-running musical Chicago. He also appeared in the John Godber written stage play Bouncers opposite fellow soap actor Nigel Pivaro who is best known for playing a similar style of character, Terry Duckworth in Coronation Street. Both Terry and Nick are the sons of long-running established characters, both are estranged from their mothers, both have committed criminal acts and both have made sporadic, on-off appearances on their respective show. [9]

In 2004, he made an appearance in the comedy sketch series Bo' Selecta! as his EastEnders character. In 2006, Altman was set to appear in an upcoming British film called It's Been Real, the trailer can be seen on YouTube.[10] It still has yet to be released in cinemas. John Altman also appeared on 18 July 2009 episode of Totally Saturday by climbing out of the boot of a car.

In August 2010, he joined a band called Heavy Metal Kids.[11] From late 2010, until early 2011, Altman appeared in adverts for Daz along with actors (Michael Starke and Amanda Barrie), from rival soap opera Coronation Street. In February 2011, he appeared on Live from Studio Five. In January 2012, he appeared as one of the first five couples in the third series of Celebrity Coach Trip partnering fellow actor Derek Martin.

In February 2015, he appeared as a guest on The Graham Norton Show as part of an EastEnders special episode alongside June Brown, Adam Woodyatt, Letitia Dean, Danny Dyer, Kellie Bright, Shane Richie, Jessie Wallace and Pam St. Clement.[12]

In February 2017, he appeared in June Brown at 90 – A Walford Legend, a special BBC documentary that aired to celebrate June Brown's 90th birthday.

In April 2020, he appeared with 7 other celebrities in the 4th series of the BBC travel documentary series The Real Marigold Hotel, filmed in Pondicherry, India.

Personal life

In 1986, Altman married Bridgette Poodhun. They divorced in 1997. He has one daughter.[13]

Altman released his autobiography, In the Nick of Time, which was published on 30 June 2016.[14]

Filmography

Films

Year Film Role Notes
TBA I am KhamaRev. William Willoughby (voice)Pre-production
TBA 1066Earl Leofricpre-production
2020 Sphere of Fear 2 Demon Football (voice)
2019 Lucas and Albert Charlie
2017 Is This NowJohnny
2016 Essex VendettaMarine Police Officer
2016 Perfect BreakMichael
2015 My Lonely MeTom
2009 Photo ShootWayne Wilson
2006 The InsaneJohn Vincent NarrationShort Film
1969 MattShort Film
2005 Hell to PayPoliceman
It Could Be YouTony Mantana
1994 To Die ForDogger
1993 The Higher MortalsMr. Thomas
1983 Return of the JediRebel PilotUncredited
1982 RemembranceSteve
1981 Memoirs of a SurvivorGerald's Courtier
An American Werewolf in LondonAssorted Police
1979 Birth of the BeatlesGeorge Harrison
QuadropheniaJohn
The First Great Train RobberyFirst Pickpocket

TV

Year TV Show Role Notes
2022 Good Morning Britain Himself Paying tribute to June Brown
2020 The Real Marigold Hotel Himself
2017 June Brown at 90 – A Walford Legend[15] Himself One Off Special Documentary
2015 The British Soap Awards 2015Himself
2015 The Graham Norton Show Himself 1 episode
2014–2016 Lorraine[16] Himself 2 Episodes: 15 December 2014/30 June 2016
2012 Pointless CelebritiesHimself1 episode (S03E03)
2012 Celebrity Coach TripHimself
2011 Live from Studio FiveHimself1 episode
2010 Fern Britton MeetsHimself1 episode : June Brown
The Wright StuffHimself – Guest Panelist1 episode: Episode No.14.52
EastEnders: The Murders of Lucas Johnson HimselfOne Off Special Documentary
Loose WomenHimself1 episode: Episode No.14.141
EastEnders: The Greatest CliffhangersHimself3 episodes
2007–2010 The Weakest LinkHimself2 episodes: Goodies and Baddies/'EastEnders' Special 3
2009 The Alan Titchmarsh ShowHimself1 episode
Hole in the WallHimself1 episode
Totally SaturdayHimself1 episode
The British Soap Awards 2009Himself
The Podge and Rodge ShowHimself1 episode
2008 EastEnders: Comebacks HimselfOne Off Special Documentary
GMTVHimself1 episode
EastEnders: Whodunnits HimselfOne Off Special Documentary
2007 No. 1 Soap FanHimself
Granada ReportsHimself1 episode
Soapstar SuperchefHimself2 episodes
2005 BalamoryMick Morris1 episode : The Game Show
2004 100 Greatest Christmas MomentsHimselfTV documentary
Win, Lose or Draw LateHimself2 episodes
Simply the BestHimself1 episode: Episode No.1.5
Celebrity Fear Factor UKHimself1 episode: Episode No.1.1
Bo' SelectaNick Cotton1 episode: Episode No.3.4
2003 EastEnders: Christmas PartyHimselfTV film
Loose LipsHimself1 episode
2002 KellyHimself1 episode
Top TenHimself1 episode: Soap Queens
2001 Liquid NewsHimself1 episode
2000 EastEnders: The Return of Nick CottonNick Cotton(TV film)
1998 Lenny Goes to TownUnknown Role1 episode : Cambridge
1997 Adam's Family TreeAngus the Caveman1 episode: I'm the Urban Caveman
1996 Chef!Pianist1 episode : Lessons in Talking
The Famous FiveSimmy1 episode: Five Fall into Adventure
Cold LazarusRestaurant Policeman1 episode: Episode No.1.1
1995–1996 Blackhearts in BatterseaMidwink6 episodes
1994 Pussy in BootsThe Wicked GiantTV: Mike Reid Live
1992 Noel's House Party Nick Cotton1 episode: Episode No.1.13
1991 The Ghosts of Oxford StreetThomas De QuinceyTV
The Adventures of Scragtag and Toddles, Ace DetectivesUnknown RoleTV series
1990 The Paradise ClubEddie1 episode: Rock and Roll Roulette
1985–2015 EastEndersNick CottonSeries regular, 1985–1991, 1993, 1998, 2000–2001, 2008–2009, 2014–2015 (277 episodes)
1984 MinderCabbie1 episode: The Car Lot Baggers
1983 PicturesLance Repton1 episode: Episode No.1.1
1982 The New Adventures of Lucky JimVic Slater1 episode: The Apartment
Play for TodayYoung man on tube1 episode: Life After Death

References

  1. Altman, John (2016). In the Nick of Time (First ed.). John Blake Publishing Limited. p. 302. ISBN 9781784189952.
  2. Altman, John (30 June 2016). In the Nick of Time – the Autobiography of John Altman, EastEnders' Nick Cotton. ISBN 9781786061959.
  3. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/john-altman-i-got-about-25-last-year-for-repeats-of-eastenders-trlmc7jf2
  4. Altman, John (30 June 2016). In the Nick of Time – the Autobiography of John Altman, EastEnders' Nick Cotton. ISBN 9781786061959.
  5. Public Information Films | 1979 to 2006 | Film index | Stupid Git, John Altman. Nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved on 16 August 2012.
  6. John Altman, AKA Eastender's Nasty Nick: It's almost like the Taliban. You can't say what you like., GB News, Sep 13, 2021
  7. The Victorian shops under Oxford Street, London. Roger J Morgan
  8. Rear of the Year – History Archived 1 December 2012 at archive.today. Rearoftheyearcompetition.com. Retrieved on 16 August 2012.
  9. Beds, Herts and Bucks Theatre – Milton Keynes Theatre – Bouncers – John Altman interview. BBC (13 September 2003). Retrieved on 16 August 2012.
  10. Movie Trailer: "It's Been Real" starring Samantha Fox on YouTube (3 November 2006). Retrieved on 16 August 2012.
  11. "Eastenders baddie Nasty Nick talks about his new band".
  12. "EastEnders Special, The Graham Norton Show – BBC One". BBC. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  13. ::The Speakers Agency – Speakers:: Archived 9 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  14. "LatestNews". johnaltman.info. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  15. Metro.co.uk, Sarah Deen for (14 February 2017). "Dot Cotton reunited with EastEnders co-star Nasty Nick for June Brown's birthday". Metro. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  16. "Television". johnaltman.info. Retrieved 16 February 2017.

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