
James Cossins (4 December 1933 – 12 February 1997) was an English actor. Born in Beckenham, Kent, he became widely recognised as the abrupt, bewildered Mr Walt in the Fawlty Towers episode "The Hotel Inspectors" and as Mr Watson, the frustrated Public Relations training course instructor, in an episode of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Cossins was born in Beckenham and educated at the City of London School. After serving in the Royal Air Force, he trained at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he won the silver medal in 1952. Cossins first appeared in repertory theatre and at the Nottingham Playhouse. He played a wide range of characters throughout his colourful and extensive career on television and stage, often portraying blustering, pompous, crusty and cantankerous characters. Cossins appeared in Charley's Aunt at the Apollo Theatre in 1971 with Tom Courtenay, David Horovitch, Garth Forwood, Joanna McCallum, and Celia Bannerman. He appeared in more than forty films, including The Anniversary (recreating his West End stage role), and The Lost Continent (both 1968), Gandhi (1982), and The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). On the small screen, Cossins appeared as a guest in a variety of shows, including The Likely Lads and Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, Minder, Bergerac, The Sweeney, Bless This House, Shadows, All Creatures Great and Small, Citizen Smith, Just William, The Good Life, L for Lester, Neville Dennis in Callan "Rules of the Game" (1972), Z-Cars, and as the regular character Bruce Westrop (in 1979) in Emmerdale Farm. He also played Major Bagstock in Dombey and Son (1983), and appeared in the first series of All in Good Faith in 1985. He played a magistrate in episodes of four different British sitcoms, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, The Good Life, Citizen Smith and Minder. Cossins's later appearances were limited by ill health and he lived in semi-retirement in Surrey. Cossins died from heart disease at the age of 63, in 1997

as Mr. Walt (archive footage) (uncredited)

as Justin Bryce

as Godfrey

as Frederick Bains

as Colthorpe (archive footage)

as Brigadier

as Major Lucas

as 1st Interviewer

as Lucullus

as Lord Carnarvon

as Henry Bassington-ffrench

as Harranby

as Colthorpe

as Eric

as German Officer

as McKillop

as Kellet

as Mr. Shorter

as Partridge

as James Manfred O.BE.

as Peter Elmstead

as Barnsby

as Party Guest (uncredited)

as The Doctor

as Older Male Nurse

as Brown

as Forestier

as Headmaster

as Father - Mr. Rainbird

as Jeremy

as Policeman

as Crodder

as Dean

as Party Guest (uncredited)

as Mr. Linton

as Man in Cinema (uncredited)

as Jeffcot

as Nick, chief engineer

as Henry Taggart

as Drogue

as Professor Tatham

as Interviewer

as Coroner

as William Scantlebury

as Mr. Basildon

as Holofernes

as TV Commentator