Hywel Simons is a Welsh actor born on 10 February 1970 in Porthcawl, Wales. He developed an interest in acting while a pupil at Porthcawl Comprehensive School, and went on to train at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
Simons made his television debut in 1993, playing oil-rig worker Wilf Granelli in the drama series Roughnecks. Film roles followed later in the 1990s, including parts in Wilde (1997) and Shakespeare in Love (1998), and he appeared in the Second World War drama Enigma (2001).
Simons is best known for playing Sergeant Craig Gilmore in the ITV police drama The Bill, a role he held from 2001 to 2004. The storyline included one of British television’s first same-sex kisses between uniformed police officers, a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation on mainstream TV. He later appeared in the BBC sketch show Little Britain as Glynn, a character featured in scenes with Dafydd Thomas.
Away from acting, Simons has been married to Sarah Tansey since 2005. He is known to enjoy wood turning, making bowls from driftwood found on beaches.
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Welsh actor born in Porthcawl, best known for playing Sergeant Craig Gilmore in ITV's The Bill.
Hywel Simons
Actor born in Porthcawl
Hywel Simons was born in Porthcawl, Wales, and developed an interest in acting while a pupil at Porthcawl Comprehensive School, before training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
Other television credits include Casualty and Heartbeat, and stage work including a touring production of Dracula. Simons enjoys wood turning as a hobby, making bowls from driftwood he finds on beaches.
Career Highlights
Played Sergeant Craig Gilmore in ITV's The Bill (2001-2004)
Appeared in Shakespeare in Love (1998), Wilde (1997) and Enigma (2001)
Played Glynn in the BBC sketch show Little Britain
Trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA)
ℹ️ Born 10 February 1970, Porthcawl, Wales.
Hywel Simons was born in Porthcawl, Wales, and developed an interest in acting while a pupil at Porthcawl Comprehensive School, before training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
From: Ebrill_perl
Other TV appearances include 'Roughnecks',' The Flint Street Nativity', 'Score' and 'People Like Us', 'Airline Pilot'. He's had film roles too: 'Wilde', 'Shakespeare in Love', 'House' and 'Enigma'.
From: ginasgirl
This guy is a wonderful actor and very under-rated.
From: Mackers
Hywel is a wonderful actor and should go far in his career.
From: Jack38
Hywel Simons is a gifted actor who deserves a higher profile. In years to come when he's played ever role in Shakespeare and become properly recognised, he'll still be remembered and loved as Craig. Hope he gets the chances he deserves.
From: Ahywelfan
Saw Hywel on stage in Colchester, he was wonderful. More please!
From: Hywelrules
How has no-one yet mentioned how absolutely bloody gorgeous he is? The guy makes me want to faint, I was ready to give up on 'The Bill' but kept watching for six months just because of him and the other story-lines were bloody awful but I kept watching just for a glimpse of him, faint.
From: Ahywelfan
No-one has mentioned how drop-dead gorgeous he is because we thought it went without saying!! After having met him up close I can say that TV and pictures do him no justice whatsoever and he is much more gorgeous in RL than you would ever believe, not only that but he is a really lovely human being!
From: Laurel
This fine actor has just recently been on BBC TV in 'Casualty' and 'Little Britain', in ITV series 'Heartbeat' and on stage he's been in 'Double Indemnity', dancing at 'Lughnasa' and touring with the theatrical version of 'Dracula'. Hywel is a versatile and talented actor and genuinely nice bloke.