26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Inside Death Valley star Timothy Spall's life from cancer diagnosis to famous son
Inside Death Valley star Timothy Spall's life from cancer diagnosis to famous son
BBC viewers will see actor Timothy Spall take on the role of John Chapel in BBC's latest comedy-drama, Death Valley.
This month, BBC has launched a new comedy drama which is set to have the nation laughing. Death Valley, a murder mystery set in Wales, follows an unlikely crime-solving partnership.
Retired actor John Chapel (played by Timothy Spall) will have to team up with Detective Sergeant Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth).
When asked what appealed to him about starring in the comedy crime drama, Timothy said: "There's an originality and an emotional grounding to the characters. They are both bad at recognising their own faults but excellent at pointing out each other's and those clashes are investigated in an entertaining way.
"Their unusual bond becomes strong and mutually dependent, even though it has significant and challenging ups and downs. It was also nice to be asked by the creative team to bring my own thoughts and ideas to John's character and how it should be developed."
With Death Valley airing this month, we're taking a look into the actor's life beyond the BBC show.
Devastating diagnosis
Timothy was fearful when he was given his cancer diagnosis
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Back in 1996, Timothy was given the devastating diagnosis that he had leukaemia at the age of 39. Speaking about the troubling time, the actor told Saga Magazine he didn't think he'd make it.
Timothy said: "We had three kids, and out of the blue, I was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease called acute myeloid leukaemia. When I was told I had it, I got down on my knees and asked God to spare me for my family.
"There was a time when they thought I might not make it. The only really unbearable thing was what my family would do if I went? I wouldn't be there to look after them, and that was my job as a husband and father."
The actor confessed the only unbearable thing for him was the thought of what dying would do to his loved ones.
Timothy then underwent two rounds of chemotherapy and, within three months, was given the incredible news that he was in remission and cancer-free.
Since then, the actor shared he tries to manage his stress levels as he told The Independent in 2006: "I didn't know what made me ill but stress had something to do with it and the point is now to head off stress at the pass. It made me aware of things and become more selective. I am less worried about employment."
Famous family
Timothy's son has followed in his acting footsteps
Timothy Spall has been married to his wife Shane since 1981, and the couple share three children together.
Shane is an author and has published two memoirs, one in relation to her husband's recovery from leukaemia and the other focusing on their journey around Britain on their barge.
The duo also appeared on-screen together, as they were seen on BBC Four's Timothy Spall: Back at Sea in 2011, when they travelled around the British Isles.
However, it looks as though acting runs in the family as one of Timothy's children has followed in his footsteps.
Rafe has appeared in a range of well-known films over the years, including The Big Short, Life of Pi, Hot Fuzz and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
Being 'skint'
Auf Wiedersehen, Pet actors Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall, Christopher Fairbank, Noel Clarke, Tim Healy, Kevin Whately and Pat Roach
Timothy has an impressive career catalogue, having starred in the likes of Harry Potter, Sweeney Todd, The King's Speech and Mr Turner.
However, despite being a well-known actor, the work wasn't always regular.
Speaking to Big Issue, he confessed: "Being famous and unemployed wasn't very nice. I remember sitting in the pub and somebody tapped me on the shoulder saying, D'on't look so miserable, not with all your money!'
"I was skint. Auf Wiedersehen, Pet had happened, which became so big. It was uncomfortable at times. I had a young family and was out of work for a long period.
"So I would tell my younger self, stick to your guns, take every role on its own value."
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Death Valley is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
