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Graham Cole OBE (born Graham Coleman-Smith, 16 March 1952 in Willesden, Middlesex) is an English stage and screen actor best known for his long-running portrayal of PC Tony Stamp on ITV’s police drama The Bill. After more than a decade in repertory and musical theatre, Cole moved into television in the late 1970s and established himself as a reliable character actor, frequently appearing in British genre series and feature films as supporting or bit-part players. He has screen credits spanning from 1976 to the 2020s, and his work includes appearances in James Bond and Indiana Jones films, guest roles in series such as Doctor Who and Only Fools and Horses, and later roles in independent films. Off screen he has been active in showbusiness charities and emergency-services fundraising.

... Graham Cole (born Graham Coleman-Smith on 16 March 1952) trained and worked extensively in repertory theatre and musical theatre before establishing a sustained screen career from the late 1970s. He first began appearing on television in small parts and bit roles and became widely recognised after being cast as PC Tony Stamp in ITV’s long-running police series The Bill, a role he first played from 1984 and continued on a regular basis from the late 1980s until the programme’s end. Cole has also had supporting roles in feature films, including appearances in the 1987 Bond film The Living Daylights and the 1989 Hollywood production Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and he later took leading parts in British independent features such as Evil Never Dies (2014). He has been an active figure in charitable organisations connected to showbusiness and emergency services, serving with the Grand Order of Water Rats (holding the title King Rat in 2009), acting as a long-term patron of ChildLine and as president of the National Holiday Fund. In recognition of his charitable work he was appointed OBE in 2010. Beyond television and film, Cole continues to perform on stage—regularly appearing in pantomime and touring musical productions—and to take guest roles in contemporary British dramas. Then & Now The 1980s After a decade in repertory and musical theatre, Cole moved steadily into television in the late 1970s and became widely recognised in the 1980s when he was cast as PC Tony Stamp on ITV’s police drama The Bill in 1984, a part that cemented his public profile from the late 1980s onward. During the decade he also built a film résumé with supporting appearances in high-profile productions such as the 1987 Bond picture The Living Daylights and 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, while continuing to pop up in popular British series. His solid, dependable presence made him a familiar character actor on screen and helped define the tone of long-running police drama for viewers of the era. Now (2026) As of 2026 Graham Cole remains a respected veteran whose screen credits extend into the 2020s, taking roles in independent films and occasional television work while sustaining a public profile through guest appearances. Off screen he has continued his long-standing commitment to showbusiness charities and emergency-services fundraising, activities that have complemented his acting career and contributed to his award recognition as an OBE. Cole’s enduring legacy is his long-running portrayal of PC Tony Stamp and his reputation as a reliable, career character actor in British film and television. Career timeline 1952 Born Graham Coleman-Smith in Willesden, Middlesex on 16 March. 1970s Spent roughly 12 years working in repertory theatre and musical theatre before concentrating on screen work. 1976 Earliest recorded television credit: appeared in the series The Canal Children as Mick Murphy. 1980–1984 Appeared in multiple serials of Doctor Who, including roles as Marshmen and a Cyberman in stories such as "Earthshock". 1984 First appearance as PC Tony Stamp in ITV’s The Bill (initially recurring). 1987 First feature film appearances: uncredited Agent in The Living Daylights and a background role in Hope and Glory. 1989 Appeared as a henchman in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. 1997 Subject of the television programme This Is Your Life, surprised by host Michael Aspel. 2009 Held the title King Rat in the entertainment charity the Grand Order of Water Rats. 2010 Awarded the OBE for services linked to charities and work supporting emergency-service related causes. 2014 Starred as DI David Bracken in the British independent feature film Evil Never Dies. 2020 Appeared as Jimmy in the romantic drama feature film 23 Walks. Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Wikipedia – Graham Cole Public biography and credit reference.IMDb – Graham Cole Public biography and credit reference.Graham Cole – This Is Your Life (BFI reference) Biographical and credit details were checked against Wikipedia – Graham Cole, IMDb – Graham Cole, Graham Cole – This Is Your Life (BFI reference).