GARY WILMOT
CARACTACUS POTTS

Although Gary was born into showbiz - his father the Bass voice that sang the unforgettable line 'I am a Mole and I Live in a Hole' - he had no early ambitions for the stage. However, he had always shown a talent to entertain and so with encouragement from those around him he took his first step on the road to stardom. Innumerable guest appearances on television, culminated in several of his own TV series and gained for him a national 'star profile'.

In 1989 Gary's first West End role was that of Bill Snibson in the award winning musical Me and My Girl (Adelphi Theatre). He played the role to critical acclaim for two years, the late Jack Tinker describing him as a 'musical talent of the highest order'.

A successful No. 1 theatre tour of a new comedy, Teething Troubles, followed, earning him further critical acclaim. He also directed a workshop production of this play.

With direction by Simon Callow, Gary's next role was that of Joe in the award winning Carmen Jones (Old Vic). The role highlighted his dramatic and vocal talents earning him yet again further acclaim. Following Carmen Jones, and by popular demand, Gary starred in the first sell out national tour of Me and My Girl which earned him a best actor nomination.

Gary next went on to star in the world premiere of the Barry Manilow musical Copacabana at London's Prince of Wales Theatre. That same year he recorded a one-hour TV special for the BBC - Showstoppers. On airing the BBC switchboard was inundated with calls for more, and Gary was invited to record a further series of six TV spectaculars with the BBC Concert Orchestra and many national and international guest stars. He also starred in and directed a tour of Showstoppers which proved so popular that its original 60 dates were increased to 160.

Finishing the run of 'Copa' Gary received a special invitation to recreate his role in Me and My Girl for the final tour of this great show.

In 1997 Gary created the role of Elliot Garfield in The Goodbye Girl by Neil Simon, Marvin Hamlisch, David Zippell and Don Black. Gary received his usual complement of superb notices and took the show on the road in 1998. Ground breaking as always he ended 1998 with yet another successful characterisation - as Fagin in the Cameron Mackintosh production of Oliver!, touring through spring and summer 1999.

Then, Gary spent a highly successful period at the Bristol Old Vic (and touring) in Willy Russell's play One for the Road and starred in the concert tour of Music to Watch Girls By singing, in his own inimitable style. Most recently he starred in the No. 1 tour of Alan Ayckbourn's Confusions, Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park, the No. 1 tour of The Pirates of Penzance and a No. 1 Tour of Travels with My Aunt.

Gary's solo albums include The Album recorded at the historic Abbey Road Studio with the London Symphony Orchestra.