Oates was born in Canning Town, East London as Arthur Charles Oates on 6th January 1932 and was descended from the Victorian acting family Faucit Saville. After being evacuated to Derbyshire during the Second World War he rejoined his family and moved to Finchley in London where he attended Christ’s College. He worked as a window cleaner and trained as a heating engineer and as quantity surveyor before taking part in National Service where he claimed he was in the Intelligence Corps, the unit responsible for gathering and analysing intelligence and counter-intelligence information. During his time in the army he became an army boxing champion and acted in amateur dramatic productions. On his discharge he successfully auditioned for and enrolled at the Arts Educational School to study drama but he left before finishing the course to take up a role in stage management with Chesterfield Rep Company. He made his stage debut under the name of Titus Oates at Chesterfield in the play Someone at the Door in 1954.
During an interview with the Birmingham Daily Post in 1971 he reflected on his short time at drama school “I didn’t like it there and wasn’t any good. So I wrote this repertory company and kidded them I’d had plenty of experience and they took me on. I tend to feel that you can bluff your way into anything if you’re determined enough, but I really was so ignorant.[1]”
After working in local repertory theatre he gained a leading man position at York Theatre Royal where he remained for several years. Though a familiar face on television from the late 1950s onwards his big breakthrough role was as Doctor John Ridge in the BBC drama Doomwatch. His television debut was in an episode of the BBC Sunday Night Theatre, 'Shadow of Heroes' (19th July 1959), based on a play by Robert Ardrey and performed live. This was followed by an instalment of the BBC anthology series Musical Playhouse with Oates billed as a Bow Street official in 'Perchance To Dream' (3rd August 1959). The production, based on an Ivor Novello play, also featured Richard Bebb in the cast. Bebb would later supply voice work for the Beasts episode 'During Barty’s Party'.
Next was a production of Noel Coward’s The Vortex (1st May, 1960) made as part of the BBC Sunday Night Play series. Oates played the role of Tom Veryan with David McCallum taking the lead as Nicky Lancaster. During December he appeared in the stage play The Geese Are Getting Fat staged at Phoenix Theatre, London. He was a cast member of the stage production Teresa of Avila presented at the Vaudeville Theatre during October and November 1961. This was followed by roles in a couple of Armchair Theatre plays; 'A Head Full of Crocodiles' and 'Roll on Blooming Death' (5th November 1961). In between his TV appearances Oates continued to be in demand in the world of theatre. He was a cast member of the Guildford Theatre pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk over December 1961 and January 1962 before appearing in Judith staged at Her Majesty’s Theatre between May and July 1962. He played the role of Floyd Macduff in the play Fiorello at the Piccadilly Theatre during October 1962.
He had a small role in 'Triplets' (12th January 1963), an episode of the BBC sitcom The Rag Trade, which signalled the start of a busy year for Oates. Further roles during the year included playing Johnny De Souza in 'The Thirteenth Girl' (27 April 1963) - an episode of ATV crime drama Ghost Squad, portraying Leon Saval in 'Yvette' (4th July 1963) – an episode of the BBC series Maupassant and a credit as Jimmy Foster in 'The Frauds' (26th August 1963), an episode of the ATV anthology series Love Story. Between June and July 1963 he undertook the role of Mr Gosse in four episodes of the medical soap opera Emergency Ward Ten. Later work during the year saw his second appearance in an episode of BBC Sunday Night Theatre with the role of Joe Vance in 'Plain Jane' (1st September 1963). This was followed by 'The Cat’s Away' (26th November 1963), an episode of the business drama The Plane Makers. Oates appeared as the character Tim Driver. During the pantomime season Oates appeared as Sarah the Cook in a version of Dick Whittington at the New Theatre, Bromley.
Towards the end of 1963 Oates turned his hand to directing whilst he was attached to Bromley Rep which led to him being given a chance to produce a version of Ted Willis’s Woman In A Dressing Gown at the Vaudeville theatre from February 1964 starring David Hemmings. The Stage was positive about Oates’ direction feeling it was “unobtrusive, making its points accurately and establishing the mood of each scene with a minimum of emphasis[2]”.
1964 saw Oates toil away as a guest star in several ongoing series including the Doctor Finlay’s Casebook episode 'The Aristocrats' (12th April 1964), the police drama No Hiding Place with the episode 'My Father Is My Brother' (27th April 1964), playing the role of Cherub in the Sid James sitcom Taxi in the episode 'We’ve Got To Live In The Winter' (13th June 1964) and playing Rex Barnett in two episodes of Compact – 'To The Rescue' (3rd November 1964) and 'Over The Wall' (6th November 1964). He also appeared in 'The Flaw in the Crystal' (7th August 1964), an episode of the drama anthology Story Parade. The Stage reviewed “The Flaw in the Crystal” and singled out Oates performance for particular praise stating “Simon Oates made the most of his role. He spoke little, smiled much, but when he was on the screen he compelled attention.[3]” His film debut came with Night Train to Paris (1964) in the small role of Saunders. He also married Denise Shaune, a former dancer, during 1964. Shaune later worked as a choreographer and the couple had a son, Jason (though later called Adam), born in 1974.
He was next engaged to play the role of Stewart Simmonds in the BBC thriller series Contract To Kill (T3rd May – 7th June 1965) and followed this with the role of Michael in 'Common Ground' (22nd July 1965) an instalment of the BBC drama Londoners. His main screen role for 1965 was as Anthony Kelly in the BBC thriller series The Mask of Janus (8th October – 17th December 1965). Set in a fictional country the series dealt with the power struggles of British, American and Communist espionage blocks. Oates was one of the main leads alongside Dinsdale Landen as Richard Cadell. The series was a success with audiences and critics and a spin off series was soon forthcoming. The Spies (1st January – 16th April 1966) saw Landen and Oates play the same characters still in the fictional country of Amalia and still involved in various espionage escapades.
He was next engaged to play the role of Stewart Simmonds in the BBC thriller series Contract To Kill (T3rd May – 7th June 1965) and followed this with the role of Michael in 'Common Ground' (22nd July 1965) an instalment of the BBC drama Londoners. His main screen role for 1965 was as Anthony Kelly in the BBC thriller series The Mask of Janus (8th October – 17th December 1965). Set in a fictional country the series dealt with the power struggles of British, American and Communist espionage blocks. Oates was one of the main leads alongside Dinsdale Landen as Richard Cadell. The series was a success with audiences and critics and a spin off series was soon forthcoming. The Spies (1st January – 16th April 1966) saw Landen and Oates play the same characters still in the fictional country of Amalia and still involved in various espionage escapades.
He continued to have guest roles in ongoing series including Man In A Suitcase with Oates cast as Simon Croft in the episode 'Web With Four Spiders' (1968) and two episodes of The Avengers; 'You Have Just Been Murdered', a silent dialogue free role as the blonde haired Skelton the assassin, and 'Super-Secret Cypher Snatch' as Maskin. He also appeared in two anthology programmes with the episode 'Lily Christine' (8th October 1968), an episode of The Jazz Age, and 'The High Adventure' (14th July 1968) an episode of Detective. He made his second guest appearance in an episode of Doctor Finlay’s Casebook playing Doctor Kimber in 'The Facts of Life' (15th June 1969) before moving on to The Main Chance episode 'Liar’s Dice' (9th July 1969) and The Expert episode 'Your Money For Your Life' (29th August 1969). In this episode of he played the character of David Lynch, an insurance man involved in the road death of a successful businessman. His appearance in the Department S episode 'The Trojan Tanker' (16th March 1969) saw him appear alongside Patricia Haines who would star with him in 'The Dummy'. He played a character who is in a relationship with Haines. Throughout his film and TV career had also made regular stage appearances as well as having a parallel career as a stand-up comedian under the name of Charlie Barnett, the Cockney Comedian. He toured clubs and theatres and even compared a Rolling Stones tour as the character as well as performances by Tom Jones, Sandie Shaw and The Who.
Starting in 1970 he was part of the regular cast of Doomwatch playing the role of Doctor John Ridge over the course of three years and 29 episodes. The role would bring him public recognition and a healthy income. He would also appear as Ridge in a small role in the spin off film Doomwatch (1972). Such was the popularity of the role that Oates was at one point considered as a replacement for the retiring Sean Connery to play James Bond replacing George Lazenby, but Connery changed his mind and returned to play Bond in Diamonds Are Forever (1971). After Doomwatch, apart from an appearance in an episode of Jason King, his TV career stalled and he never regained the popularity he once had when playing John Ridge. Instead he concentrated on theatre work.
In July 1971 he took the role of John Steed in a short lived, and poorly received, West End theatre version of The Avengers written by veterans of the TV iteration, Terence Feeley and Brian Clemens. Sue Lloyd played his assistant Hannah Wild and Kate O’Mara was the villain Madame Gerda who headed an all-women gang dressed in shiny black leather. The production was staged at the Birmingham Theatre before going on to the Prince of Wales theatre in London where it finished at the end of November 1971. For the next five years Oates was a busy stage actor. Credits are many and varied so I will only highlight those of particular interest. During August and September 1972 Oates appeared with Barbara Windsor in a touring production of The Owl and the Pussycat. Oates would later produce a version of the play for Canadian audiences in Calgary during 1981. He appeared alongside Peter O’Toole in a version of Cinderella staged at the Drury Lane, London during December 1973. A young man called John Nathan-Turner wrote and directed the show. Following The Avengers stage show Oates was reunited with fellow cast member Kate O’Mara and writer Brian Clemens when he agreed to direct a touring production of Clemens’ new play Shock during June and July 1975. He also directed a version of Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web during July and August 1976. This was followed by more directing work overseeing the production Many a Naked Bird in Stevenage during September 1976. October 1976 saw Oates appearing in a revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat at Harlow Playhouse. During the 1976 pantomime season Oates appeared as Abanazer in Aladdin at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. His wife, Denise, also worked on the production as the show’s choreographer.
Starting in 1970 he was part of the regular cast of Doomwatch playing the role of Doctor John Ridge over the course of three years and 29 episodes. The role would bring him public recognition and a healthy income. He would also appear as Ridge in a small role in the spin off film Doomwatch (1972). Such was the popularity of the role that Oates was at one point considered as a replacement for the retiring Sean Connery to play James Bond replacing George Lazenby, but Connery changed his mind and returned to play Bond in Diamonds Are Forever (1971). After Doomwatch, apart from an appearance in an episode of Jason King, his TV career stalled and he never regained the popularity he once had when playing John Ridge. Instead he concentrated on theatre work.
Stage work during 1971 included Born Yesterday at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre during April. Oates played a journalist who accidentally becomes involved with an American racketeer. Oates had also begun to make more appearances on the cabaret circuit and working men’s pubs or clubs under his Charlie Barnett alias. “I began to go to East End pubs, just to watch. Then one night I got to a place where the comic had really died, and they suggested I should go on, and I kept saying no. Then the chap who introduced the turns and got up and announced me – saying I’d been there three times before, which wasn’t true – and there I was on my own in front of an audience. When actors say how dreadful such-and-such role was for them, I say they should try a Welsh Sunday lunchtime drinking club; it’s just you and them. After that, nothing is so bad again.[4]”
Oates also branched out into releasing a pop song in February 1971. I Love You Too Much to Lose You was released as a single on the Columbia Records label. A contemporary music paper review commented “It turns out that he has a very pleasant and virile voice, possibly a wee bit too strong for this lilting sing-a-long ballad. Still, it’s very melodic, eminently hummable and decidedly easy listening.[5]”
In July 1971 he took the role of John Steed in a short lived, and poorly received, West End theatre version of The Avengers written by veterans of the TV iteration, Terence Feeley and Brian Clemens. Sue Lloyd played his assistant Hannah Wild and Kate O’Mara was the villain Madame Gerda who headed an all-women gang dressed in shiny black leather. The production was staged at the Birmingham Theatre before going on to the Prince of Wales theatre in London where it finished at the end of November 1971. For the next five years Oates was a busy stage actor. Credits are many and varied so I will only highlight those of particular interest. During August and September 1972 Oates appeared with Barbara Windsor in a touring production of The Owl and the Pussycat. Oates would later produce a version of the play for Canadian audiences in Calgary during 1981. He appeared alongside Peter O’Toole in a version of Cinderella staged at the Drury Lane, London during December 1973. A young man called John Nathan-Turner wrote and directed the show. Following The Avengers stage show Oates was reunited with fellow cast member Kate O’Mara and writer Brian Clemens when he agreed to direct a touring production of Clemens’ new play Shock during June and July 1975. He also directed a version of Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web during July and August 1976. This was followed by more directing work overseeing the production Many a Naked Bird in Stevenage during September 1976. October 1976 saw Oates appearing in a revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat at Harlow Playhouse. During the 1976 pantomime season Oates appeared as Abanazer in Aladdin at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. His wife, Denise, also worked on the production as the show’s choreographer.
He returned to comedy with a role as hairdresser Luigi in 'The Home Perm' (4th August 1981), an episode of the sitcom You’re Only Young Once, which starred Peggy Mount and Pat Coombes. He followed this by playing Major Darling in two episodes of the BBC drama series Strangers and Brothers (29th February and 7th March 1984). More comedy work was next, as Brother Laidlaw, in 'Light and Shade' (18th May 1984), an episode of the Molly Sugden sitcom That’s My Boy. For a short period during the mid-1980s Oates lived and worked in Canada where he managed a theatre company. It was probably during this time that he took the role of the Earl of Claridge in the two-part Remington Steel story 'Steele Searching' (24th September and 1st October 1985). On his return to the UK he took on more theatre appearances with the role of Abanazar once again for the pantomime season production of Aladdin staged in Swansea at the Grand Theatre during December 1985 and January 1986. He later appeared in the stage comedy The Secretary Bird staged in Leatherhead during May 1986. During June 1986 he was cast in two pilot episodes of a potential new soap opera, Griffins, set within a health spa. The series was never commissioned. Outside of this he busied himself directing and acting in the theatre for the next few years.
Intriguingly he took a role in the West German science fiction film Doppleganger (1989) playing Herr Klein before returning to British television screens with a guest role in a single episode of the Channel Four soap opera Brookside – 'Pusilanimous' (17th April 1989). 1991 saw Oates appear in the Bergerac episode 'The Waiting Game' (16th February 1991) and the BBC Play On One production 'Gas and Candles' (1st August 1991). His final television role was as Roddy Preston in the pilot episode (23rd February 1993) of the comedy series The 10 Percenters. Oates retired from the profession shortly after this role.
He died of prostate cancer on 20th May 2009 aged 77. He was married twice and had one son and one daughter as well as another son with Denise Shaune. The actor and comedian Justin Brett is Oates’ son from his second marriage to Jaki Eastoe.
[1] “Simon Oates: The “Scientist”
With An Interest in Junk” by Judith Cook, Birmingham
Daily Post, Wenesday 14th April, 1971, page 8
[3] The Flaw in the Crystal review by Bill Edmund, The Stage, Thursday 13th August 1964, page 22
[4] “Simon Oates: The “Scientist” With An Interest in Junk” by Judith Cook, Birmingham Daily Post, Wednesday 14th April, 1971, page 8
[5] Review by Derek Johnson, Melody Maker 13th February 1971.
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