Richard Wilson is a well known actor with a long and distinguished career in TV, film and theatre.

He is Victor Meldrew, the moaning grumpy old man loved by millions. He was the doctor in classic sitcom `Only When I Laugh and a wartime doctor in Doctor Who. He is the kindly old wizard mentoring Merlin and a priest in ITVs Demons.He is one of Britain's best loved performers and he comes from Greenock.

Born Ian Colquhoun Wilson on the 9th of July 1936, he as a science student and did his National Service in Singapore, as part of the Royal Army Medical Corp.

When his time in the army was over, he went to work in a laboratory. Before pursuing an acting career relatively late in life ( he was approaching the end of his 20s).

Richard Wilson studied at RADA and won roles in repertory theatre in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester. Eventually making a name for himself as a respected actor and theatre director. Then becoming a star in later life with TV hit `One Foot In The Grave`.  Ironic considering his belated start in acting.

Richard Wilson was awarded for his services to drama with an OBE in 1994.

He was elected Rector of the University of Glasgow In April 1996, a position he held for three years, when he spoke out on various issues. Politically active, Wilson may have supported the British Labour Party but opposed the war in Iraq.