I also enjoyed Tom's earlier years, as a shady character. I thought this side of Tom had some good moments with the gullible Barry.How very sad not many of the cast survive it just shows mortality is just around the corner always difficult for him to find a role following in his Father's footsteps it must have been so daunting after a shaky start I think he grew into it as a double act with Smiler. A very sad loss.
I am with you on that. I always liked Tom. I never thought of him as Bill's direct replacement but as a very good addition to the enlarging cast in the later years.I am one of those who not only feels that the quality of the series remained sky-high right up until the end, but also that Tom Simmonite was an excellent addition, expertly portrayed by Tom Owen.
There were a lot of great moments with him avoiding the debt collector.Tragic news, didn't see that coming.
I particularly liked Tom's energy when he first appeared in the show, when he was a bit of a wide boy, always up to some kind of scam.