David Daker died on April 30, 2026, at the age of 90.
- June 22, 2026
AceShowbiz - David Daker died on April 30, 2026, at the age of 90. His family announced his passing several days later but have not disclosed the cause of death.
Daker was best known for his role as Harry Crawford, the loyal friend of Ken Boon in the ITV series Boon. He also had notable stints on "Coronation Street," portraying two different characters: Basil Griffin from 1968 to 1969 and Gordon Lewis, an unpopular relief manager at the Rovers Return, from 1981 to 1985. His television career began with the role of PC Owen Culshaw in the BBC drama "Z Cars," appearing in 84 episodes over ten years. Throughout his career, Daker appeared in a variety of British television shows including "Only Fools and Horses," "Porridge," and "Doctor Who," where he played both a robber baron and a spacecraft commanding officer. He was married twice, first to Stella Newton with whom he had two children, Tim and Pippa. His daughter Pippa suffered from multiple sclerosis and died in 1997. He is survived by his second wife Hilary and their daughter Rebecca.
The ITV series Boon, in which Daker played a central character, is an action, crime, and drama production directed by Derek Presley and produced by Cinedigm. The show originally aired in the late 1980s and early 1990s, featuring a cast including Neal McDonough and Tommy Flanagan. Daker's character Harry Crawford was involved in numerous business ventures often linked to shady dealings alongside the main character, Ken Boon.
David Daker’s passing marks the loss of a versatile actor who contributed significantly to British television drama over several decades. His work on long-running series like Boon and "Coronation Street" left a lasting impact on audiences, and his portrayals helped define the era’s TV landscape.