I’m afraid I am the bearer of bad news. The wonderful John Shrapnel, with the mellifluous voice, has died. He passed away on the 14th February 2020, aged 78.
John was a British actor who appeared in many classic British TV and radio shows.
John appeared in the excellent Morse episode, Death is Now my Neighbour as ageing Don Juan, Dr. Julian Storrs.
John also played Morse in three BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations with Robert Glenister as Lewis; Last Seen Wearing, The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn and The Wench is Dead.
Here is slice of John in the Morse episode, Death is Now my Neighbour.
Loved John in this episode and as Morse in the Radio dramas. Thank you John for making the Morse Universe a better place. We won’t forget you.
R.I.P John Sharpnel.
Thank you for sharing this sad new Chris. I really enjoy John’s portrayal of Morse in the audio adaptations and he is a key character in one of my favourite Morse episodes. RIP John
Yeah Chris, so so sad. I’ve seen him played another roles and as you said, his voice was fantastic. Another lost for all of us… time to re watch that finest and important episode, here is when Morse meets Adele Cecil and the famous scene where he reveals his christian name, right??. Kind regards for your accurate posts. From Chle, Southamerica – Saludos
That’s correct Maria it has all those elements in the episode. Great episode.
I enjoyed John Shrapnel in this episode and as Creon in The Theban Plays by Sophocles (1986–
Another great one gone.
Very sad to hear, a quality actor who played his parts convincingly. That was the thing about Morse, the great acting, writing and people in the crew who made it happen.
Thank you for sharing this, Chris, I really appreciate that you care enough about these great actors to make lovely thoughtful memorials. John Shrapnel was a superb radio actor, and a great Morse.
I hope it isn’t heretical to say that in my opinion (to be taken with a pinch of salt ) John Shrapnel is probably the best Morse or rather nearer to the character created by Colin Dexter. Stop me if l have said this before but he appears opposite Robert Glenister’s Lewis (again nearer to the orignal characterisation in a trilogy of episodes currently available on audible. On reflection Shaun Evans Endeavour to my mind now seems nearer to Shrapnels Morse. Just a thought though!