Thomas Erickson "Tom" Watt is an English actor, writer and broadcaster, known for portraying the role of Lofty Holloway in the BBC Onesoap operaEastEnders. He is also known for his appearances on the BBCradio showFighting Talk and his documentary films for BT Sport.
Career
Acting
Born in Wanstead, Watt studied drama at Manchester University where he directed several stage productions. One of his first television roles was in the comedy seriesNever the Twain in 1981, but his big break came in 1985 when he was cast as one of the original characters in the BBC One soap opera, EastEnders. Watt portrayed the role of Lofty Holloway, the barman of The Queen Vic from the show's inception until 1988. Other acting credits have included roles in the BBC dramaSouth of the Border, a South Londondetective show; the role of Norman in the 1990 film for ITV called And the Nightingale Sang, a love story set during the war; Boon 1992, with Michael Elphick; as well as a minor role in the 1992 filmPatriot Games, among others. As well as television and film he has had many theatre and stage roles. Most notably, he starred in the one-man showFever Pitch, based on the Nick Hornby novel of the same name. Watt appeared in an episode of the BBC TV seriesNew Tricks, had a minor role in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes and appeared in a production of 'Madness In Valencia'. In 2019, Watt reprised his role as Lofty Holloway in EastEnders for one episode, for the funeral of Harold Legg.
Television and radio
After leaving EastEnders, Watt began presenting sports segments for Channel 4, Radio 1, Radio 3, Radio 5 Live, talkSPORT, and Cable TV. He has also written, presented and produced several documentaries about football for BT Sport Films, including the Football Outposts series. Watt featured regularly on BBC Radio 5 Live's Fighting Talk, where we he won the "Champion of Champions" trophy on 28 May 2011. He also hosted Arsenal TV's Monday night Fans Forum until the show was discontinued. He also produced, directed and presented the Channel 4 children's sports show, Rookies in the early 1990s.
Music
Watt recorded a version of Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues in 1985, with members of the British band New Order among other artists. The single peaked at number 67 in the UK singles chart.
Watt was once romantically involved with his EastEnders castmate Anita Dobson, who played Angie Watts. He married his wife in 1993 and they have since had a son, Roland. Watt is currently an advisory board member for BounceBack, a charity that trains ex offenders.
