Entertainment and sports mourn loss of actor (63), Olympic champion (89)
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The worlds of entertainment and sports are both in mourning as two remarkable figures have passed away.
A cherished character actor, known for memorable roles in film and television, has died at 63, leaving fans and colleagues reflecting on a career that touched many.
The sporting community also bids farewell to a legendary Olympic boxing champion whose skill and legacy left an enduring mark. He passed away at the age of 89. Their deaths serve as a reminder of the lasting impact they made in their respective fields.
Simon Fisher-Becker's journey in the world of acting began in the 1990s with appearances on British television shows such as Hale and Pace and One Foot in the Grave.
However, his portrayal of the Fat Friar, the amiable ghost of Hufflepuff House in the Harry Potter franchise, brought him international recognition.
His brief but memorable appearance in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone endeared him to fans of the series, who cherished his contribution to the magical world.
Beyond the halls of Hogwarts, Fisher-Becker made a significant mark on the science fiction genre.
He was particularly known for his recurring role as Dorium Maldovar in the BBC's iconic series Doctor Who between 2010 and 2011.
His character, a blue-skinned alien with a sharp wit, quickly became a fan favourite and solidified Fisher-Becker's status as a beloved figure in the sci-fi community.
His voice acting was equally notable, with credits like Gen. Nylan in the Doctor Who Online Adventures TV series and Arthur Morstan in the Sherlock Holmes mini-series.
Fisher-Becker's versatility as an actor was further showcased through his work on various podcast series, including Abnormal Stories and his final credit, 'Jenny – The Doctor's Daughter,' in 2024.
Fisher-Becker's agent at Jaffrey Management, Kim Barry, expressed a personal sense of loss, highlighting the actor's kindness and graciousness.
In a statement to CNN, Barry remembered Fisher-Becker as a client and a close friend of 15 years.
His warmth and genuine interest in others resonated with everyone he met, from industry professionals to devoted fans at convention circuits.
In an interview with BTG Interviews in 2023, Fisher-Becker reflected on his career and the generosity of his fellow actors, attributing his success to the kindness he received from the industry's more prominent names.
His gratitude towards his colleagues and his love for collaboration were testaments to his character both on and off the screen.
As we bid farewell to Simon Fisher-Becker, we remember the joy he brought to his roles and the lives he touched.
His legacy will continue to live on through the characters he brought to life and the memories he created for fans around the world.
Credit: YouTube
Meanwhile, Dick McTaggart's journey from the tenements of Dundee to the pinnacle of Olympic glory is a tale of determination and skill.
Born on October 15, 1935, into a bustling household with 17 siblings, McTaggart found his calling in boxing at the tender age of 11.
Recognising the boys' penchant for scrapping, his father introduced them to the sport as a constructive outlet.
Little did he know he was setting the stage for a future Olympic champion.
McTaggart's boxing prowess was evident from the start.
He honed his skills alongside his brothers, and it wasn't long before he made a name for himself.
His style was unique, a blend of elegance and explosive power that left opponents and spectators alike in awe.
Andre Vairolatto, one of McTaggart's vanquished foes, once described him with a mix of respect and bewilderment:
'He moves like a ballet dancer. A ballet dancer with dynamite in his fists...he is right there in front of you until the precise second you prepare to unleash a punch, then—poof!—he has vanished.'
McTaggart's amateur career was nothing short of stellar. He became the first Briton to box in three Olympic Games, a testament to his enduring talent and dedication.
His gold medal victory at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics was a defining moment, not just for McTaggart but for British boxing.
He also took home the Val Barker Trophy, awarded to the most stylish boxer of the Games, a feat no other British boxer has matched to this day.
Despite the allure of professional boxing and the lucrative offers that came his way, McTaggart chose to remain an amateur.
His love for the sport was pure, untainted by the pressures and demands of professional fighting.
He once said, 'I enjoyed boxing, but I never wanted it to become my job. I knew that I didn’t have many brains, but I wanted to keep the ones I had.'
This decision, though it may have cost him financially, allowed him to live life on his own terms, a choice he never regretted.
Beyond the ring, McTaggart's life was as varied as his boxing style.
From a butcher's apprentice to a cook during his national service, and later a labourer, rodent exterminator, Rolls Royce engineer, and a member of the Daily Express circulation department, he never shied away from hard work.
His commitment to boxing continued as he coached the British Olympic and Scottish boxing squads, sharing his knowledge and passion with the next generation of fighters.
McTaggart's personal life was as rich as his professional one. He met his wife Doreen in a Glasgow cafe in 1962, and together they raised four daughters.
His family life was a source of joy and pride, a fitting counterbalance to his life in the limelight.
Credit: YouTube
Rest in peace, Simon Fisher-Becker and Dick McTaggart.
Your contributions to entertainment and sports have left an enduring legacy, and you will be remembered for impacting so many lives.
A cherished character actor, known for memorable roles in film and television, has died at 63, leaving fans and colleagues reflecting on a career that touched many.
The sporting community also bids farewell to a legendary Olympic boxing champion whose skill and legacy left an enduring mark. He passed away at the age of 89. Their deaths serve as a reminder of the lasting impact they made in their respective fields.
Simon Fisher-Becker's journey in the world of acting began in the 1990s with appearances on British television shows such as Hale and Pace and One Foot in the Grave.
However, his portrayal of the Fat Friar, the amiable ghost of Hufflepuff House in the Harry Potter franchise, brought him international recognition.
Simon Fisher-Becker, known as the Fat Friar in Harry Potter, has been lost at 63. Credit: Facebook
His brief but memorable appearance in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone endeared him to fans of the series, who cherished his contribution to the magical world.
Beyond the halls of Hogwarts, Fisher-Becker made a significant mark on the science fiction genre.
He was particularly known for his recurring role as Dorium Maldovar in the BBC's iconic series Doctor Who between 2010 and 2011.
His character, a blue-skinned alien with a sharp wit, quickly became a fan favourite and solidified Fisher-Becker's status as a beloved figure in the sci-fi community.
His voice acting was equally notable, with credits like Gen. Nylan in the Doctor Who Online Adventures TV series and Arthur Morstan in the Sherlock Holmes mini-series.
Fisher-Becker's versatility as an actor was further showcased through his work on various podcast series, including Abnormal Stories and his final credit, 'Jenny – The Doctor's Daughter,' in 2024.
Fisher-Becker's agent at Jaffrey Management, Kim Barry, expressed a personal sense of loss, highlighting the actor's kindness and graciousness.
In a statement to CNN, Barry remembered Fisher-Becker as a client and a close friend of 15 years.
His warmth and genuine interest in others resonated with everyone he met, from industry professionals to devoted fans at convention circuits.
In an interview with BTG Interviews in 2023, Fisher-Becker reflected on his career and the generosity of his fellow actors, attributing his success to the kindness he received from the industry's more prominent names.
His gratitude towards his colleagues and his love for collaboration were testaments to his character both on and off the screen.
As we bid farewell to Simon Fisher-Becker, we remember the joy he brought to his roles and the lives he touched.
His legacy will continue to live on through the characters he brought to life and the memories he created for fans around the world.
Credit: YouTube
Meanwhile, Dick McTaggart's journey from the tenements of Dundee to the pinnacle of Olympic glory is a tale of determination and skill.
Born on October 15, 1935, into a bustling household with 17 siblings, McTaggart found his calling in boxing at the tender age of 11.
Olympic boxing champion Dick McTaggart, famed for his graceful style, has been lost at 89. Credit: Facebook
Recognising the boys' penchant for scrapping, his father introduced them to the sport as a constructive outlet.
Little did he know he was setting the stage for a future Olympic champion.
McTaggart's boxing prowess was evident from the start.
He honed his skills alongside his brothers, and it wasn't long before he made a name for himself.
His style was unique, a blend of elegance and explosive power that left opponents and spectators alike in awe.
Andre Vairolatto, one of McTaggart's vanquished foes, once described him with a mix of respect and bewilderment:
'He moves like a ballet dancer. A ballet dancer with dynamite in his fists...he is right there in front of you until the precise second you prepare to unleash a punch, then—poof!—he has vanished.'
McTaggart's amateur career was nothing short of stellar. He became the first Briton to box in three Olympic Games, a testament to his enduring talent and dedication.
His gold medal victory at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics was a defining moment, not just for McTaggart but for British boxing.
He also took home the Val Barker Trophy, awarded to the most stylish boxer of the Games, a feat no other British boxer has matched to this day.
Despite the allure of professional boxing and the lucrative offers that came his way, McTaggart chose to remain an amateur.
His love for the sport was pure, untainted by the pressures and demands of professional fighting.
He once said, 'I enjoyed boxing, but I never wanted it to become my job. I knew that I didn’t have many brains, but I wanted to keep the ones I had.'
This decision, though it may have cost him financially, allowed him to live life on his own terms, a choice he never regretted.
Beyond the ring, McTaggart's life was as varied as his boxing style.
From a butcher's apprentice to a cook during his national service, and later a labourer, rodent exterminator, Rolls Royce engineer, and a member of the Daily Express circulation department, he never shied away from hard work.
His commitment to boxing continued as he coached the British Olympic and Scottish boxing squads, sharing his knowledge and passion with the next generation of fighters.
McTaggart's personal life was as rich as his professional one. He met his wife Doreen in a Glasgow cafe in 1962, and together they raised four daughters.
His family life was a source of joy and pride, a fitting counterbalance to his life in the limelight.
Credit: YouTube
Your contributions to entertainment and sports have left an enduring legacy, and you will be remembered for impacting so many lives.
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Vale Dick 
