Peter Adamson

Peter Adamson (16 February 1930 – 17 January 2002) was a British stage and television actor. He is best known for playing the character of Len Fairclough in the long-running television series Coronation Street from 1961 to 1983.

Life and career

Born in Allerton, Liverpool, England, Adamson was the youngest of six children. His father was a manager of a menswear shop. Adamson left school at the age of 14 and took an office job in a solicitor's firm, before trying for a career as a commercial artist.

After taking part in a community play at the age of 17, Adamson moved to London and attended LAMDA, but left after two months. He returned to the North West, working in repertory theatre for several years, where he met his wife Jean. He also set up his own rep theatre company, producing and performing in plays and summer shows at Weston-super-Mare. He went on to appear in London's West End, and first appeared on television in 1956 in a variety show. He then gained roles in television dramas such as Granada Television's Skyport and Knight Errant Limited before being cast as Len Fairclough in Granada's fledgling series Coronation Street in late 1960. His character first appeared onscreen in January 1961.

Peter Adamson (politician)

Peter Francis Adamson (born 1961 in Darwin) is a former Australian politician. He was educated at private schools, and then at the University of Sydney, where he graduated in with a bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics. Prior to entering politics, he was the sports anchor on Channel Eight (now Channel Nine) News.

Political career

In 1994, future Chief Minister Clare Martin was approached to contest the Darwin Legislative Assembly seat of Casuarina for the Australian Labor Party at the 1994 election. However, she was defeated by Peter Adamson, standing as the candidate for the Country Liberal Party.

Lord Mayor and subsequent fall from grace

In 2002 Adamson was elected Lord Mayor of Darwin. While Adamson knew many early successes, including economic investment, roadwork repairs, and sending himself and others as a mayoral delegation to Anchorage, Alaska (Darwin's sister city) to discuss expanding economic ties, Adamson's career soon came spiralling out of control, with the revelation of misuse of council funds to purchase comical items such as a refrigerator, women's underwear and a Darth Vader voice distorter.