Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels actor dies aged 56

Jake Abraham, best known for his role as Dean in Guy Ritchie’s 1998 film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, has died at the age of 56.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year and in July he said he was receiving palliative care.

The actor also starred in 1991 Channel 4 series GBH, and films Mean Machine and The 51st State.

He was born in Toxteth, Liverpool, and began his acting career in the 1980s at The Everyman Youth Theatre.

In an interview with the Liverpool Echo in the summer, he revealed he visited his doctor in February, having not felt quite right for some time.

“I was working, but I wasn’t feeling well,” he told the paper.

“I was pushing through those spells when you don’t feel yourself, you haven’t got the energy and there are aches and pains.

“I knew I wasn’t well, but I’d not been well for so long.

“What made me go to the doctor and get a PSA [prostate-specific antigen] test was that I passed blood in my urine,” he said.

“I got a test and ended up in the Royal [hospital]. He said ‘you’ve got cancer, I’m so, so sorry’. He said that I’d had it for years, maybe four years.”

Abraham said he left it “too late” to get his symptoms checked. The cancer had spread to other parts of his body.

The actor continued to work until earlier this year and performed in The Scouse Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime until January.

Bill Elms, a theatre director and producer in Liverpool who worked with Abraham on several occasions, paid tribute to the actor.

“I had the great pleasure of working with Jake on a few shows I co-produced, Twopence To Cross The Mersey and Lennon’s Banjo, he was a wonderful actor, a great company member and was much loved by so many in the industry,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

“He will be sadly missed. I have many fond memories of Jake, he was always so upbeat and fun to be around. I admired him for going public with his illness, it will make a difference to many others and save lives.

“It’s a very sad day.”

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Shameless star Tina Malone wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “I am heartbroken my screen and theatre hubby, my mate of 50 years has passed, talented, funny, kind, a true Liverpool legend rip my darling jake Abraham.”

Actor and director David Morrissey wrote: “RIP Jake Abraham. Top bloke and wonderful performer. Gone way too soon.”

Nicky Allt, a Liverpool-born theatre producer and writer, also paid tribute on social media, writing: “God bless Jake (Jake Abraham). My sparkly little Evertonian mate, The talented boy from Kenny (Kensington). Always a proper laugh & smile in work & play. Goodnight kid.”

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