Actor Terrence Hardiman, star of 90s children's series The Demon Headmaster, dies aged 86

9 May 2023, 09:09 | Updated: 9 May 2023, 09:25

Actor Terrence Hardiman, best known for playing the title role in the CBBC series The Demon Headmaster, has died at the age of 86.
Actor Terrence Hardiman, best known for playing the title role in the CBBC series The Demon Headmaster, has died at the age of 86. Picture: BBC
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

Actor Terrence Hardiman, best known for playing the title role in the CBBC series The Demon Headmaster, has died at the age of 86, his agent has said.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The stage and screen star also appeared in TV series such as The Crown, Wallander, Doctor Who and Prime Suspect.

The Londoner narrated hundreds of audiobooks, too, including series by the likes of Colin Dexter, Anne Perry and Ruth Rendell.

His death was announced "with great sadness" by Scott Marshall Partners, which said he was a "beloved client and much-loved stage and screen actor".

Hardiman terrified a generation of children with his chilling performance in The Demon Headmaster, the TV series based on the children's books of the same name by Gillian Cross.

The drama was first broadcast between 1996 and 1998.

Hardiman's imposing figure hid his piercing green eyes behind dark glasses - only removing them to hypnotise his victims.

He reprised his role for a cameo when the series was rebooted by CBBC in 2019.

He also appeared in Colditz, Secret Army, Bergerac and Minder.

Hardiman is survived by his wife Rowena and his two children.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

M

Man who took bomb into hospital to kill 'as many nurses as possible' jailed

Three boys have been charged with rape

Three boys aged 13-15 charged with raping girl in joint attack in Rochdale

Dmitry Medvedev said he was waiting for Russia to be blamed

‘What are you waiting for Starmer?’ Putin ally goads Britain over Heathrow shutdown

Woodland Glade Thetford Forest Norfolk UK

New 'Western Forest' to be created in England, with 20 million trees to be planted by 2050

Katherine Ryan

Comedian Katherine Ryan reveals she has skin cancer for second time - after doctor first told her she was 'healthy'

U.S. President Trump's State Visit To UK - Day Two

'I love King Charles': Trump makes jaw-dropping hint as he says US could become 'associate member' of Commonwealth

Karla Dodds, 25, has now been jailed for 12 years

Drunk barmaid sobbed 'who's dead?' after killing friend in car crash while carrying six passengers in hatchback

Karla Dodds

'Wicked and cowardly' drunk barmaid who killed friend in a crash when carrying six passengers after night out jailed

Peter Kay

Peter Kay halts London gig as he warns noisy fans they will be kicked out - weeks after 'Lisa Riley' heckler removed

In Netflix's Adolescence, Jamie Miller plays a 13-year-old accused of murder

Adolescence has landed at a time when macho-culture is rising - now more than ever, we need to change the narrative

Heathrow Airport is closed until at least midnight

When will Heathrow airport reopen?

She was suspended and an investigation has been launched

Female prison officer suspended from London jail after 'inappropriate relationship' with inmate

Troy Ramsundar was knifed to death in a street in Brixton

Victim of fatal stabbing in Brixton pictured as police urge witnesses to come forward

Jack Fincham leaving Basildon Crown Court, following an appeal hearing after he previously admitted to two counts of being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog, and he was jailed for six weeks

Love Island star Jack Fincham wins appeal against prison sentence after dog attack on runner

A police officer at the North Hyde electrical substation which caught fire, causing chaos at nearby Heathrow

'MI5 will be all over this': Security expert tells LBC Russian operatives could be behind Heathrow chaos

Exclusive
The scene in Brussels

British plane passenger in 'stand-off with Belgian police' after getting stranded in Brussels amid Heathrow closure