John Alderton John Alderton John Alderton (born 27 November 1940) is an English actor who is best known for his roles in "Upstairs, Downstairs", "Thomas & Sarah", "Wodehouse Playhouse", "Little Miss" (original TV series), "Please Sir!" and "Fireman Sam" (the original series). Alderton has often starred alongside his wife, Pauline Collins. Alderton was born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, the son of Ivy (née Handley) and Gordon John Alderton. He grew up in Hull where he attended Kingston High School. Alderton first became familiar to television viewers in 1962, when he played Dr Moone in the ITV soap opera, "Emergency – Ward 10". He
John Alderton then transferred to another top-rated ITV series when he played Thomas Watkins, the chauffeur, in "Upstairs, Downstairs", opposite his wife, Pauline Collins. They had a daughter (the actress Kate Alderton) and two sons and also acted together in spin-off series, "Thomas & Sarah", and another sitcom, "No, Honestly", as well as in "Wodehouse Playhouse" (1975–78), a series that featured adaptations of short stories by P. G. Wodehouse (primarily the "Mr. Mulliner" stories.) In the meantime, he appeared on the big screen against-type as 'Friend' in John Boorman's cult sci-fi film "Zardoz" (1974), before returning to more familiar territory, as 1930s