John Alderton

John Alderton (born 27 November 1940) is an English actor who is best known for his roles in Upstairs, Downstairs, Thomas & Sarah, Please Sir!, and Fireman Sam. Alderton has often starred alongside his wife, Pauline Collins. Alderton was born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, the son of Ivy (née Handley) and Gordon John Alderton. He grew up in Hull where he attended Kingston High School. Jack Stanley Alderton, (born 1900 in Hull) was one of three brothers and a carpenter by trade. During 1920–59 he built a large civil engineering and building contractor business, known as ‘J.S. Alderton and Co. Ltd.’ based at Felsted, Ipswich and London. Alderton first became familiar to television viewers when he took the role of Dr Moone in an early ITV soap opera, Emergency - Ward 10. He married his co-star, successful actress Jill Browne, but they later divorced. He soon surpassed the fame of his ex-wife, taking the lead in the sitcom Please Sir!, as hapless teacher Mr Hedges, which later resulted in him also playing the character in the 1971 feature film of the same name.

Actor