TV
Cult Spy Icon: Chris Skelton ('Ashes To Ashes')
Published Sunday, Mar 30 2008, 07:46 BST | By Ben Rawson-Jones | 7 comments
Chris demonstrated his youthful appeal in Life On Mars, forming a nice contrast to the brutishly blunt Gene Hunt and the prejudice-ridden Ray Carling. It was on its 80s based follow-up that the lad really came out of his shell though, becoming an action man, impressionist, boyfriend, flasher and bog-searcher. He was responsible for a variety of hilarious and endearing moments that helped to alleviate Ashes from any depressive reaction to the nauseating smugness of Alex Drake, along with creating a neat contrast to some of the harder-hitting socio-political themes.
Highlights included his Riverdance-style attempts to dodge bullets on the banks of the Thames in the opening episode, leaping to safety like a desperate salmon trying to belly flop upstream; his unconvincing surveillance double act with Ray; and the dodgy impressions of both Taxi Driver era Robert De Niro and Leonard Rossiter's Rigsby from Rising Damp.
When a fall guy was needed, Alex stomped straight to Chris and put him in charge of fishing a crooked fundraiser's gun out of the U-Bend in a public toilet. Furthermore, Gene's fear of Lord Scarman's visit prompted him to make Chris a fake inmate with the cover story of indecently exposing himself on a bus! Aww, bless him!
Ashes To Ashes also witnessed some love action for the chirpy chappy. Hooking up with the equally sweet and dodgy-barneted Shaz, the couple never actually shared an on screen snog but were definitely an item. The outfit and make-up worn by Chris in a bid to impress his ladyfriend at a New Romantic club is the stuff of legend - especially as his fellow police officers unexpectedly turned up. He has a lot to learn on charming the opposite sex though. He tried to talk Shaz round into seeing Friday The 13th Part Two with him because it was set by a lake - and therefore must be romantic!
DC Chris Skelton - long may you keep wagging your tail.
> What do you think about Chris? Pay tribute to the Icon here
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7 Comments
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Lauren, London, on April 3rd, 2008
i absolutely love Chris! my favourite bits must be the 'money laundering' and when in the last episode he was sent down he shouted "i want my phone call!" i laughed for ages. classic!
i absolutely love Chris! my favourite bits must be the 'money laundering' and when in the last episode he was sent down he shouted "i want my phone call!" i laughed for ages. classic!
Alexandra Slater, Chesterfield, on April 2nd, 2008
I think that Chris and Ray make a very appealing double-act and they've really come into their own in 'Ashes'. Chris was so funny in episode 8, providing much-needed comic relief in a very emotional episode. "I want to come out!" Classic!!
I think that Chris and Ray make a very appealing double-act and they've really come into their own in 'Ashes'. Chris was so funny in episode 8, providing much-needed comic relief in a very emotional episode. "I want to come out!" Classic!!
Sarah, Kent, on April 1st, 2008
What I like about Chris is although he comes across as a sweet naive kid who isn't too bright, he occasionally has these flashes of steel in his character(like shooting the poncy crim in the foot) which show his real backbone. He may not be Superman but he's trying, which makes him a hero.
What I like about Chris is although he comes across as a sweet naive kid who isn't too bright, he occasionally has these flashes of steel in his character(like shooting the poncy crim in the foot) which show his real backbone. He may not be Superman but he's trying, which makes him a hero.
helen, london, on April 1st, 2008
i love chris, him and ray make a great double act as highlighted when they were stood in front of that poster of little and large! and he is much better looking than the 'chris' in the reconstruction!!
i love chris, him and ray make a great double act as highlighted when they were stood in front of that poster of little and large! and he is much better looking than the 'chris' in the reconstruction!!
An ashes fan, on April 1st, 2008
Chris is definitely the second funniest to Gene, one of my fav. lines of his was "So when they say money-laundering, they don't actually wash the money?" Haha he's no naive at times. Also his time in prison in episode 8 was classic.
Chris is definitely the second funniest to Gene, one of my fav. lines of his was "So when they say money-laundering, they don't actually wash the money?" Haha he's no naive at times. Also his time in prison in episode 8 was classic.
indecisive-one, on April 1st, 2008
My favourite bit with Chris's character was definitely the covert surveillance bit - hilarious! He's an essential part of this ensemble cast.
My favourite bit with Chris's character was definitely the covert surveillance bit - hilarious! He's an essential part of this ensemble cast.
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You've got something wrong in there, Alex didn't go straight to Chris about the toilet thing, she asked Ray, who asked Chris, who attempted to ask Shaz. I remember that 'cause I started laughing at it.