Tributes have poured in for Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star Jake Abraham, who passed away aged 56 just months after revealing he had left it too late to get his cancer symptoms checked.
Close friends of the scouse actor have paid homage to his acting abilities as well as his humour and kindness, describing him as a ‘true Liverpool legend’ and a ‘gent’.
Actress Tina Malone, a close friend of Jake’s who performed alongside him in a National Theatre production and on-screen, spoke of her heartbreak at her friend’s passing.
‘I am heartbroken my screen and theatre husband, my mate of 50 years has passed. Talented, funny, kind, a true Liverpool legend RIP my darling.’
Fans have also shared their memories of the ‘brilliant Liverpool actor’, who regularly performed in his hometown and was on stage earlier this year.
Jake Abraham (pictured) has passed away aged 56
Jake opened up about his condition in July and confessed he had ‘left it too late’ to go to the doctors after feeling unwell for a while.
The actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which later spread to the rest of his body and created tumours on his spine, hips and bladder.
As news of Jake’s passing broke online, stars, friends and fans flooded X, formerly Twitter, with messages of condolence.
One Show and Tool Club presenter Kevin Duala, who also hails from Liverpool, described his friend as a ‘gent’ and spoke of his success as an actor.
‘When you’re growing up in Liverpool especially #toxteth it can be tough to rise up! And our man Mr Jake Abraham did just that!
‘What a gent, great actor but all round fantastic fella and will be sadly missed – one of our #Granby boys from the 8 gone.’
Career: As well as his best known performance in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (pictured) he also appeared in Prisoners Wives, Holby City, The Bill and Red Dwarf
Actor and filmmaker David Morrissey said: ‘RIP Jake Abraham. Top bloke and wonderful performer. Gone way too soon.’
Stuart Anthony added: ‘Very sorry to hear Jake Abraham has sadly passed away aged 56. Lovely man x.’
Meanwhile, radio personality Pete Price, said: ‘Another wonderful, kind, talented friend has passed away. Jake is going to be so missed. I always loved his performances.’
One fan online wrote: ‘Such sad news today. Jake Abraham, one of the city’s best-loved actors, has died aged 56.
Another said: ‘Liverpool has lost a great talent and a great man in Jake Abraham. thoughts and prayers are with his family.’
A third added: ‘God bless you, Jake. Always a little diamond. Very sad news. Glad to have shared a few boss memories with you over the years. Goodnight, RIP mate.’
Jake, who most recently appeared on stage in the pantomime The Scouse Jack and the Beanstalk, said he finally went to his GP after a long period of illness.
He told Liverpool ECHO: ‘I was working but I wasn’t feeling well. I was pushing through those spells when you don’t feel yourself, you haven’t got the energy and there are aches and pains.
Reaction: As news of Jake’s passing broke online, friends and fans flooded X, formerly Twitter, with messages of condolence
‘The costume for the play was enormous, I knew I wasn’t well then 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.
‘I got a test and ended up in the Royal. He said: ‘You’ve got cancer, I’m so, so sorry’. He said that I’d had it for years, maybe four years.’
Jake initially received radiotherapy treatment, however after a while they changed his treatment plan to palliative care.
The star said he was told at the time that he could have between months or years left to live.
His late diagnosis meant he was keen to encourage others to get themselves checked out if they are feeling ill.
Jake Abraham, who was born in Toxteth but grew up in Kensington, began his career in the 1980s, among what he called a ‘cauldron of talent’ at The Everyman Youth Theatre.
He went on to enjoy a four-decade career on stage and screen. This included working with some of the biggest names in British drama, including with fellow Liverpudlian Alan Bleasdale on the 1991 Channel 4 series GBH.
One of his most famous roles was as Dean in gangster classic ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, which was Guy Ritchie’s directorial debut.
As well as his best known performance in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels he also appeared in Prisoners Wives, Holby City, The Bill and Red Dwarf.
