Gary Holton
Gary Holton
Gary Frederick Holton (22 September 1952 – 25 October 1985) was an English singer, musician and actor. He was the frontman of the glam rock band Heavy Metal Kids (1972–1977), worked with Casino Steel (1981–1984), and played Wayne (London) in the UK TV comedy Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983–1985). He died in 1985 from a morphine overdose combined with alcohol.
Early life
Holton was born in Clapham, London, and grew up in Kennington. He showed musical talent as a schoolboy at Beaufoy School in Lambeth, but his real dream was to be an actor. He began working in theatre at Sadler’s Wells Opera Company, appearing in opera from a young age. As a teenager, he performed in Love for Love and Amahl and the Night Visitors.
Acting and early career
Holton’s acting work included early TV and stage roles. He also sang the theme tune to the children’s series Murphy’s Mob. He is best known for his role as Wayne Norris in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, a London carpenter who appeared in the show from 1983 to 1985.
Musical career
Solo and with Heavy Metal Kids
In December 1978, Holton stood in for The Damned’s Dave Vanian on a Scottish tour and even auditioned to replace Bon Scott in AC/DC. He is best remembered as the frontman of Heavy Metal Kids, a glam rock band formed in 1972. The band signed with Atlantic Records and released several albums, including Heavy Metal Kids (1974), Anvil Chorus (1975), and Kitsch (1977). The group gained some press attention and played gigs with punk band The Adverts, but commercial success in Britain was limited. Holton left the band amid a press storm in 1975, rejoined briefly in 1977 for live shows and the album Kitsch, and then the band dissolved around 1978.
Holton/Steel duo
In 1980–81, Holton teamed up with Norwegian musician Casino Steel. The duo released a few albums mainly in Norway, combining country rock with punk influences. Their first hit was a cover of Kenny Rogers’ “Ruby.” Holton’s Norwegian music career did not gain widespread recognition in his homeland.
Final years
In 1984–85 Holton was part of The Gang Show with Glen Matlock and James Stevenson, along with keyboardist James Hallawell. They recorded demos, and one song, Big Tears, appeared later on a James Stevenson anthology.
Personal life
Holton dated singer Stella Palmer in 1977; they became engaged briefly in 1977 before Palmer called off the engagement. He married model Donna Campbell in 1979; they separated in 1981 but remained friends. He later had a son, Red, with model Susan Harrison in 1983. At the time of his death, he had separated from Harrison and was engaged to hairdresser Jahnet McIllwain.
Death and funeral
Holton was found dead by his fiancée Jahnet McIllwain on 25 October 1985. He died from an overdose of morphine and alcohol, with traces of diazepam and cannabis in his system. A pathologist said he would have been unconscious within minutes after consuming the morphine. He had a history of drug use and heroin addiction, and he owed substantial debts, including taxes and mortgage arrears. He died before the second series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet was completed; producers used body doubles and editing to finish the show. His funeral took place on 22 November 1985 at Golders Green Crematorium, with his Auf Wiedersehen, Pet colleagues in attendance. His ashes were laid to rest in Maesgwastad Cemetery, Welshpool.
Discography (highlights)
With Heavy Metal Kids
- Heavy Metal Kids (1974)
- Anvil Chorus (1975)
- Kitsch (1977)
With Casino Steel
- Gary Holton & Casino Steel (1981)
- Part II (1982)
- III Edition (1983)
- No 4 (1984)
- Best of Gary Holton and Casino Steel (1984)
- We Did It Our Way (1986)
- The Best (1989)
- Ruby – The Very Best of Gary Holton & Casino Steel (1995)
- Anthology (2010)
- The Ballad of Gary Holton & Casino Steel (2019)
- The Ballad of Gary Holton & Casino Steel Vol. 2 (2019)
Solo
- Gary Holton (1986)
With Mick Rossi
- Sing It To Me (1989) — released posthumously; featuring Mick Rossi
Singles (selected)
With Heavy Metal Kids
- It’s The Same (1974)
- Ain’t Nothing But A House Party/You Got Me Rollin’ (1975)
- Ain’t Nothing But A House Party/You Got Me Rollin’ Re-Mix (1975)
- She’s No Angel (1976)
With Casino Steel
- Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town / Good Ol’ Gary (1981)
- Blackberry Way / Candy (1982)
- No Reply / What Looks Best on You (1982)
- Thinking Of You / Good Ol’ Gary (1982)
- She’s Got Balls / On the Rig (1982)
- Baby I Love You / I Wish I Was An Angel (1984)
- People In Love / Pick Me Up (1986)
- Runaway / She’s No Angel (1989, posthumous)
Filmography (highlights)
- Quadrophenia (1979) — uncredited as Aggressive Rocker
- Shoestring (1979) — Gary Molecombe, 1 episode
- The Knowledge (1979)
- Play for Today (1980) — 1 episode
- Bloody Kids (1980) — 1 episode
- Breaking Glass (1980)
- Tiny Revolutions (1981) — TV movie
- The Gentle Touch (1981) — 1 episode
- Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983–85) — Wayne Norris, 26 episodes
- Minder (1984) — Barry, 1 episode
- Bulman (1985) — 1 episode
Gary Holton is remembered as a multi-talented performer who left a lasting mark in both music and television, with Auf Wiedersehen, Pet remaining his most famous screen role.
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 22:09 (CET).