Thomas Erickson "Tom" Watt (born 14 February 1956) is an English radio presenter, journalist and actor, who is best known for playing the role of Lofty Holloway in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He is also known for his appearances on the BBC radio show Fighting Talk.
A native of Wanstead, Watt studied drama at Manchester University where he directed several stage productions. One of his first television roles was in the comedy series Never the Twain in 1981, but his big break came in 1985 when he was cast as one of the original characters in the BBC's fledgling soap opera,EastEnders. Watt played Lofty Holloway, the weedy, asthmatic barman of The Queen Vic from the show's inception until 1988.
Other acting credits have included roles in the BBC drama South of the Border, a South London detective show; the role of Norman in the 1990 film for ITVcalled And the Nightingale Sang, a love story set during the war; Boon 1992, with Michael Elphick; as well as a minor role in the 1992 film Patriot Games, among others.
As well as television and film he has had many theatre and stage roles. Most notably, he starred in the one-man show Fever Pitch, based on the Nick Hornbynovel of the same name.
After leaving EastEnders, Watt combined acting with his second passion, football, by becoming a sports journalist. He has presented for Channel 4, Radio 1,Radio 3, Radio 5 Live, talkSPORT, and cable TV. He currently presents a regular slot on BBC London Radio, and features regularly on BBC Radio 5 Live'sFighting Talk,[1] where we he won the "Champion of Champions" trophy on 28 May 2011. He also hosts Arsenal TV's Monday night Fans Forum.
He produced, directed and presented the Channel 4 children's sports show, Rookies.
On 22 October 2010, Watt appeared in an episode of the BBC TV series New Tricks.
Watt recorded a version of Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues in 1985, which featured members of the British band New Order among other artists. The single reached number 67 in the UK singles chart before dropping out of the chart completely. This was recorded for his own Watt The Duck label.
Watt writes a column in The Observer doing match reports and features. As well as the column, he has authored two books about football, The End and A Passion for the Game. He was the ghost-writer for the David Beckham autobiography, My Side, which won a special prize at the British Book Awards and is the fastest-selling biography or autobiography of all time.[citation needed]
Watt was romantically involved with his EastEnders cast-mate Anita Dobson, who played Angie Watts.
He is an avid supporter of Arsenal football club and Cheltenham Town, a committed Labour Party member and a speaker for left-wing causes.
