Sweary brian blessed biography

Although he is known for a personality best described as much larger than life - and for his formidable lung power - Brian Blessed's acting career has encompassed a variety of roles which demonstrate considerable versatility, showing him equally capable of still, brooding menace, hearty bonhomie and explosive rage.

Born in West Riding, he left school at 14 when his father was injured in a mining accident, taking a variety of jobs before serving as a parachutist during his National Service.

After graduating from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, he won his major television break in the spectacularly successful police drama Z Cars (BBC, 1962-78), becoming a household name as PC 'Fancy' Smith, 'a Ted in a copper's uniform'.

Leaving the series in 1965, he subsequently played Porthos in The Three Musketeers (BBC, 1966-67) and made appearances in The Avengers (ITV, 1961-69) and Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (ITV, 1969-70), but it was not until I, Claudius (BBC, 1976) th