James Coombes

James Coombes (born 8 October 1956 in Newport, Monmouthshire) is a well known British film, television and theatre actor. He was educated at Glasllwch Primary School and then Duffryn High School. He trained as an actor at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama from 1975–78. He is best known for his roles as Pierre Challon during the final series of the BBC drama Howards' Way, and Grendel in HTV's Robin of Sherwood. He was also the iconic Milk Tray Man in the eighties' TV adverts. He also appeared as Paroli in the 1984 Doctor Who serial Warriors of the Deep and provided the voice of the Krargs in the lost episode Shada, written by Douglas Adams. He has appeared in many films including Murder with Mirrors co-starring with Bette Davis and Helen Hayes and played Richard Gere's son, Amnon, in the Bible epic, King David. He also played Sir Lancelot in the Disney film, A Knight in Camelot with Whoopi Goldberg. Other films include, Monarch, with fellow Doctor Who actors T. P. McKenna and Jean Marsh. He has worked extensively in the theatre including seasons at Chichester Festival, Pitlochry Festival, Bristol Old Vic, London Young Vic, Ludlow Festival, Coventry, Southampton Nuffield, Birmingham Rep, Chapter Arts in Cardiff with Sgript Cymru, UK tour of [[ The Rehearsal]] by Anhouilh, directed by Gillian Lynne playing opposite film actress, Leslie Caron, UK tour of A Study in Scarlet playing Sherlock Holmes, and Scarborough for Sir Alan Ayckbourn Other credits include: Minder on the Orient Express, The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, Capital City, US miniseries Napoleon and Josephine, Boon, "The Kenny Everett Television Show", Drop the Dead Donkey, Saracen, Heartbeat, Bugs, Holby City, Starhunter, The Bill, My Family and Dinosapien. He recently appeared in a UK and Ireland tour of "Dirty Dancing", playing Dr. Jake Houseman following runs at the Piccadilly Theatre, and the Phoenix Theatre, London. He has just finished filming for "Knightfall" to be aired shortly on History Channel. In the new year he will be directing 'Hayfever' by Noel Coward at Arts Ed London. As well as acting, he tutors regularly at the Academy of Creative Training in Brighton and guest directs at Arts Ed musical theatre school, London. He has recently attained a BA Hons in performance studies from Arts Educational, London, in conjunction with City University. He is married to Cathy Finlay (1989 to present) daughter of actor Frank Finlay CBE. They have three children, Josh Coombes, drummer with rock band 'Tigress', Charlotte Coombes and Benedict Coombes.