Tony Booth dies aged 85 after lengthy battle with Alzheimer's

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Jennifer Ruby26 September 2017
The Weekender

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Actor and campaigner Anthony Booth has died at the age of 85 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.

The British actor was best known for his role in Till Death Us Do Part actor as well as being the father of Cherie Blair.

The retired star played the left-wing Mike Rawlins in the hit BBC series from 1965, which made him a household name.

Booth appeared in over 20 films during his career, including early roles in The L-Shaped Room, Corruption and Brannigan in the 1960s and 1970s.

Famous role: Anthony Booth, Una Stubbs, Warren Mitchell and Dandy Nichols in Till Death Do Us Part

Following his rise to fame in Till Death Us Do Part, Booth landed roles in the short-lived soap Albion Market as well on EastEnders and Emmerdale.

Booth was a Labour party supporter throughout his life and served as president of actor’s union, Equity.

Tony Booth had been suffering from Alzheimer's
Bruce Adams/Daily Mail

He married four times and has eight daughters, including Blair, whom he had with first wife Gale Howard in 1954.

His fourth wife, Stephanie Booth, spoke candidly about her husband’s Alzheimer's diagnosis back in 2013.

“We are at the stage where he cannot look after himself. Tony’s forgetfulness is now the greatest threat to his safety,” she wrote in the Times.

“There are dark times when I feel I can no longer cope. It is hard to repeat the same answer again and again as if each time were the first response to the question.”

Booth also credited his daughter Blair for being a “constant source of support” during her father’s illness.

“She looks after her dad regularly, so I can have a break,” she said.

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