Dr Who Mary's husband dies hours after giving the eulogy at her funeral
- Publication: The Mirror
- Date: 2012-08-10
- Author: Adrian Shaw
- Page:
- Language: English
THE husband of Doctor Who star Mary Tamm died from a heart attack just hours after her funeral, it was revealed yesterday.
Marcus Ringrose gave a moving eulogy at Tuesday's service but then collapsed as he replied to wellwishers' emails on his computer.
He died at the family home in Battersea, South West London, where his wife also died last month after an 18 month battle against cancer.
Mary's agent Barry Langford said: "His heart just gave out. If you can die of a broken heart then he did die of a broken heart. Marcus looked after her through her illness. He was desperately worried about her and was devastated by her death.
"He adored her. She was a very special lady. He was at his computer writing emails to thank people for their good wishes and also their thoughts about Mary.
"He had emails from all over the world.
"It was incredible. He was very assiduous about replying to each and every one of the people who had sent their condolences to thank them.
"They had been married for 34 years. He treasured her and cherished her. I think it's fair to say that he is with her now."
The couple met when Marcus visited the BBC, saw actress Mary and told a friend: "I'm going to marry that girl."
He then engineered a meeting by stealing her hairbrush from her handbag and then, having obtained her number, rang her to say he had it. Barry said Mary called him a "cheeky bugger" but agreed to meet him.
He added: "In his eulogy at St Mary's in Battersea, he spoke for about 25 minutes and it was warm, moving, funny and sad.
"He said her life was an open book of love and laughter. The first chapters were about endeavour and achievement and the final chapter was about courage."
At the time of her death, insurance underwriter Marcus, 60, said: "Mary was truly beautiful in every way. She was a very spiritual lady who loved nature and adored all animals.
"On set and off, her earthy northern humour and her self-deprecating wit brightened every occasion. She was a consummate actress, and immensely popular in the profession.
"We will miss her every day."
Mary 62, was best known for her role as Doctor Who's first companion Romana, playing alongside Tom Baker in the 70s. Ironically, she was not initially interested in the part, believing she would be cast as merely a "damsel in distress".
However, she was persuaded to take the role after being assured by producers that as she was a member of Doctor Who's own race she would be his equal.
But after only one series she left because she felt the character was simply that of an assistant with no scope to develop.
She also starred in the film The Odessa File and on TV in The Likely Lads and as Penny Crosbie in Channel 4 soap Brookside.
Bradford-born Mary's parents were Estonian and she did not learn English until she went to primary school. Her most recent TV appearances were in Wire in the Blood and Jonathan Creek.
Captions:
WHO'S GIRL Mary with Tom Baker
GLAMOUR Actress Mary sparkles in 1986
CHERISHED Marcus with his wife of 34 years
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- APA 6th ed.: Shaw, Adrian (2012-08-10). Dr Who Mary's husband dies hours after giving the eulogy at her funeral. The Mirror .
- MLA 7th ed.: Shaw, Adrian. "Dr Who Mary's husband dies hours after giving the eulogy at her funeral." The Mirror [add city] 2012-08-10. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Shaw, Adrian. "Dr Who Mary's husband dies hours after giving the eulogy at her funeral." The Mirror, edition, sec., 2012-08-10
- Turabian: Shaw, Adrian. "Dr Who Mary's husband dies hours after giving the eulogy at her funeral." The Mirror, 2012-08-10, section, edition.
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- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Dr Who Mary's husband dies hours after giving the eulogy at her funeral | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Dr_Who_Mary%27s_husband_dies_hours_after_giving_the_eulogy_at_her_funeral | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=26 April 2025}}</ref>
