Terrence Hardiman dies, aged 86

The actor Terrence Hardiman, who terrified a generation of children in the titular role of the CBBC series The Demon Headmaster in the 1990s, has died aged 86.

His death was announced “with great sadness” by his agents Scott Marshall Partners, which said he was a “beloved client and much-loved stage and screen actor”.

Hardiman’s chilling performance in The Demon Headmaster was based on the children’s books of the same name by Gillian Cross.

Cross led tributes to the actor, tweeting: “Very sad to hear that Terrence Hardiman has died.

 He was a wonderful actor on television, stage and screen and a great Demon Headmaster. Sending deepest sympathy to his family and friends.”

The drama was first broadcast between 1996 and 1998. Hardiman’s imposing figure hid his piercing green eyes behind dark glasses – only removing them to hypnotise his victims. 

He reprised his role for a cameo when the series was rebooted by CBBC in 2019.

The stage and screen star also appeared in TV series such as The Crown, Wallander, Doctor Who and Prime Suspect. He also had roles in Colditz, Secret Army, Bergerac and Minder.

Hardiman is survived by his wife, Rowena, and his two children.

Tributes have been posted on social media. The TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan tweeted: “He terrified an entire generation of children in The Demon Headmaster. What an icon.”

Morgan Jeffery, the executive editor of Radio Times online, tweeted: “Awfully sad news about Terrence Hardiman, who has passed away aged 86. Terrified a generation as the Demon Headmaster, but could not have been more of a good-natured gentleman in real life.”