Born:
December 16, 1946
in
London
Best Known For:
Playing DCI Frank Burnside in the police series The Bill.
Early-life:
Christopher Michael Ellison was born in London on December 16, 1946. After studying at art colleges in Wimbledon and Camberwell, Chris went on to work in the merchant navy, trained as a graphic designer and was employed as a minicab driver. His first break as an actor was a guest appearance in a 1975 episode of The Sweeney.
Career:
Ellison had guest roles in a number of shows in the 1970s and 80s, including The Professionals, Grange Hill, The Gentle Touch, Bergerac, Minder and Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense. His first appearance as DCI Frank Burnside in The Bill came in 1984. He was a regular on the show between 1988 and 2000, and played the character in the short-lived spin-off Burnside. After The Bill, he played the title role in Ellington. More recently, he has made guest appearances in Doctor Who, EastEnders, Casualty, Great Expectations, New Tricks, and Jamaica Inn. In August 2015, he entered the Celebrity Big Brother house.
Quote:
"It means a lot to me to win anything because I have hardly won anything in life."
Trivia:
In 2009, Ellison won a celebrity edition of Come Dine with Me.