Tony Adams, famed for Crossroads and Doctor Who, is remembered as a gifted and gracious performer

Tributes have been paid to Tony Adams, the Welsh-born actor best known for his decade-long role as Adam Chance in the iconic British soap Crossroads, following his death at the age of 84.

Adams died on Saturday at Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, with his wife, Christine, by his side. Friends, colleagues and fans have since hailed him as one of television’s great gentlemen — a consummate performer whose warmth, charm and versatility defined an era of British daytime drama.

Born Anthony Sawley Adams in Anglesey, Wales, in 1940, he trained at the Italia Conti Theatre School before embarking on a distinguished career spanning stage, screen and television.

He first gained national attention in the early 1970s, playing Dr Neville Bywaters in ITV’s General Hospital, before joining the cast of Doctor Who in the classic 1973 serial The Green Death. But it was his role as suave accountant Adam Chance in Crossroads that cemented his place in British pop culture.

Joining the long-running soap in 1978, Adams became one of its most recognisable faces over the next decade. At its height, Crossroads drew audiences of more than 15 million viewers, and Adams’ character — part businessman, part heartthrob — was central to its success.

When the show ended in 1988 after more than 4,500 episodes, Adams was among several cast members invited back for its 2001 revival, appearing alongside Jane Rossington and Kathy Staff. His enduring popularity spoke to the affection fans still held for the Crossroads family.

After television, Adams returned to his theatrical roots, starring in stage productions across the UK. In 2004, he brought his charm and musical flair to the London Palladium, playing Grandpa Potts in a hit revival of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, based on the Ian Fleming classic.

He continued to work steadily throughout his later years and, in 2023, made a cameo appearance in Russell T Davies’s acclaimed ITV drama Nolly, which chronicled the life of his Crossroads co-star Noele Gordon. The series starred Helena Bonham Carter as Gordon, with actor Augustus Prew portraying Adams himself.

Prew described Adams as a “magical man” whose grace and generosity made a lasting impression. “He was the beating heart of Crossroads,” he said during the show’s promotion.

Adams’ ability to move seamlessly between television, film, and theatre reflected his broad range as an entertainer. He began as a dancer before establishing himself as a gifted actor and singer — a triple threat who, colleagues said, elevated every production he joined.

Michael Rose, the theatrical producer who worked with Adams on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, led the tributes, describing him as “an absolute joy” to work with.

“He was one of the warmest gentlemen you could wish to work with,” Rose said. “He was a very accomplished actor, a really good dancer and singer, and a joy to have in any company. We shall miss him terribly.”

Former castmates and fans also took to social media to remember Adams as a consummate professional who never lost his humility despite decades in the spotlight.

Adams’ passing marks the end of an era for viewers who grew up with Crossroads, a show often mocked for its wobbly sets but fondly remembered for its heart — and for the performances that made it beloved.

With his kind smile, effortless charm, and genuine love of his craft, Tony Adams leaves behind a legacy that spans generations of British entertainment.

As one tribute put it simply: “He was everything a leading man should be — talented, gracious, and unforgettable.”