Andrew Lancel
Encyclopedia
Andrew Lancel is an English
actor
. He is best known for his current role as Frank Foster in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street, and formerly in his role as DI Neil Manson in The Bill
.
. He started his acting career in local theatre and as a cabaret singer. He gained fame as the lead role in the groundbreaking medical series Cardiac Arrest
with Helen Baxendale
. Since then he has become a well established theatre and television actor with a reputation for seeking controversial roles and projects. He has also appeared in the film Wide-Eyed and Legless with Julie Walters
and Jim Broadbent
. He was described as the most realistic doctor on TV and sporadically was TV's most hated man after roles in City Central, Bad Girls and Queer as Folk
. Andrew has also starred in an episode of Midsomer Murders
. In 2005, he entered Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes and won.
case, concerning a young child who mysteriously vanished. This was also the longest ever storyline attempted in the history of The Bill. Speaking to The Sun
, he says how he has been swamped by compassionate letters and emails from viewers as his character DI Neil Manson searches for the truth about missing Amy Tennant; "For me it’s been emotional to work on as it’s hard not to get involved. Missing loved ones is a major problem in today’s society."
In Summer 2010 he played a prison officer
in a short film called Inside Run, directed by his former The Bill co-star Sam Callis
which was shown at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2010. Of the film, Lancel said "it’s a long way from Manson and a joy to be directed by Sam."
It was announced on 23 November 2010 that Lancel had been cast in the long running ITV1
soap opera Coronation Street
as Frank Foster
, a business associate of Carla Connor
. He is also a passionate supporter of Everton F.C. He is married to dance teacher Louise Edge and they live in Lancashire with their son Isaac Daniel, born 7 December 2007.
Andrew went to Tarleton High School
with the late Emmerdale producer Gavin Blyth
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He is best known for his current role as Frank Foster in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street, and formerly in his role as DI Neil Manson in The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
.
Biography
Andrew Lancel was born on 3 August 1970 in Rufford, LancashireRufford, Lancashire
-Population :-Economy:The village is largely rural with little or no industry. The farmland is grade one agricultural land. In the early 20th century the village was described as "one of the prettiest in South Lancashire" and was a destination for day trips from neighbouring towns...
. He started his acting career in local theatre and as a cabaret singer. He gained fame as the lead role in the groundbreaking medical series Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac Arrest (TV series)
Cardiac Arrest is a British medical drama series made by World Productions for BBC One and first broadcast between 1994 and 1996. The series was controversial due to its depiction of doctors, nurses, and the National Health Service.-Creation:...
with Helen Baxendale
Helen Baxendale
Helen Victoria Baxendale is an English actress of stage and television, possibly best-known for her roles in Cold Feet, Friends and Cardiac Arrest.-Early life:...
. Since then he has become a well established theatre and television actor with a reputation for seeking controversial roles and projects. He has also appeared in the film Wide-Eyed and Legless with Julie Walters
Julie Walters
Julie Walters, CBE is an English actress and novelist. She came to international prominence in 1983 for Educating Rita, performing in the title role opposite Michael Caine. It was a role she had created on the West End stage and it won her BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for Best Actress...
and Jim Broadbent
Jim Broadbent
James "Jim" Broadbent is an English theatre, film, and television actor. He is known for his roles in Iris, Moulin Rouge!, Topsy-Turvy, Hot Fuzz, and Bridget Jones' Diary...
. He was described as the most realistic doctor on TV and sporadically was TV's most hated man after roles in City Central, Bad Girls and Queer as Folk
Queer as Folk (UK TV series)
Queer as Folk is a 1999 British television series that chronicles the lives of three gay men living in Manchester's gay village around Canal Street. Both Queer as Folk and Queer as Folk 2 were written by Russell T Davies...
. Andrew has also starred in an episode of Midsomer Murders
Midsomer Murders
Midsomer Murders is a British television detective drama that has aired on ITV since 1997. The show is based on the books by Caroline Graham, as originally adapted by Anthony Horowitz. The lead character is DCI Tom Barnaby who works for Causton CID. When Nettles left the show in 2011 he was...
. In 2005, he entered Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes and won.
Career
In 2003, Andrew joined The Bill as DI Neil Manson and has played the character ever since. His most notable and memorable storyline was the 13-month long Amy Tennant MISPERMissing person
A missing person is a person who has disappeared for usually unknown reasons.Missing persons' photographs may be posted on bulletin boards, milk cartons, postcards, and websites, along with a phone number to be contacted if a sighting has been made....
case, concerning a young child who mysteriously vanished. This was also the longest ever storyline attempted in the history of The Bill. Speaking to The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
, he says how he has been swamped by compassionate letters and emails from viewers as his character DI Neil Manson searches for the truth about missing Amy Tennant; "For me it’s been emotional to work on as it’s hard not to get involved. Missing loved ones is a major problem in today’s society."
In Summer 2010 he played a prison officer
Prison officer
A prison officer , also referred to as a corrections officer , correctional officer , or detention officer , is a person charged with the responsibility of the supervision, safety and security of prisoners in a prison, jail, or similar form of secure...
in a short film called Inside Run, directed by his former The Bill co-star Sam Callis
Sam Callis
Samuel 'Sam' Callis is an English actor and film director, best known for his role as Sergeant Callum Stone in The Bill.-Biography:...
which was shown at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2010. Of the film, Lancel said "it’s a long way from Manson and a joy to be directed by Sam."
It was announced on 23 November 2010 that Lancel had been cast in the long running ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
soap opera Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
as Frank Foster
Frank Foster (Coronation Street)
Frank John Foster is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional town of Weatherfield. Frank is played by Andrew Lancel and was introduced as a business associate of Carla Connor...
, a business associate of Carla Connor
Carla Connor
Carla Connor is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional town of Weatherfield. She is portrayed by actress Alison King. Carla was created by producer Steve Frost as part of the new Connor family....
Personal life
Andrew continues to perform in concert and cabaret as well as actively supporting the charity World VisionWorld Vision
World Vision, founded in the USA in 1950, is an evangelical relief and development organization whose stated goal is "to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of...
. He is also a passionate supporter of Everton F.C. He is married to dance teacher Louise Edge and they live in Lancashire with their son Isaac Daniel, born 7 December 2007.
Andrew went to Tarleton High School
Tarleton high school
Tarleton High School is a secondary comprehensive school situated in Tarleton, Lancashire, England and is under the headship of Mrs.Gwinnett, with a specialist status as a Technology College...
with the late Emmerdale producer Gavin Blyth
Gavin Blyth
Gavin John Blyth was a British television producer and journalist. He was well known for being series producer of Emmerdale from January 2009 until his death. Beginning his career in 2002, he joined Emmerdale in 2003 as a writer...
.