Lyndam Gregory

Lyndam Gregory (1955 - 15th July 2014) appeared on Coronation Street as businessman Sammy Patel who in January 1983 offered the machinists at Baldwin's Casuals a sideline deal of making-up denim handbags to sell on his market stall.

Born in Darjeeling in India, the family moved to London in the early 1960s. He started his career in banking but aspired to become an actor and trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.

Probably best remembered as Dr. Simon Field in Granada Television's comedy Surgical Spirit, Guppy Sharma in EastEnders and as Ashok in the BBC Radio 4 series The Archers, he made his acting debut in a stage production of The Blue Monster at the Arts Theatre, London. Other on-screen credits included roles in Rumpole of the Bailey, Strangers, Angels, Tandoori Nights, Bread, The Bill, London's Burning, Casualty and Doctors.

Diagnosed as a non-smoker with lung cancer in July 2013, he passed away on 15th July 2014, aged 59. He is survived by wife Christine and their daughter Dominique.