THE sad death of Starsky and Hutch star David Soul has rekindled memories of the ‘brilliant’ role he played in an extraordinary election in Cheshire.
The actor, best known as TV cop Detective Ken Hutchinson in the American crime action series, added Hollywood glamour to Martin Bell’s successful campaign.
The war reporter, whose white suit symbolised his anti-sleaze ticket, ousted sitting Tory Tatton MP Neil Hamilton in May 1996.
David joined Martin to canvass voters on the streets around Alderley Edge, Knutsford and Northwich almost 30 years ago.
Their friendship developed out of the blue.
The American actor contacted the BBC war correspondent after watching him talk about journalistic ethics on Newsnight after returning from covering Bosnia.
It transpired that David had a long-standing idea for a TV series about a reporter in a war zone, which he hoped to play.
The TV star revealed his burning ambition be a journalist and was trying to find out how foreign affairs correspondents operate.
The pair became friends and used to meet up every week at a restaurant close to their London homes.
When Martin unexpectedly found himself electioneering as an Independent candidate, he recruited a small circle of family and friends.
In an interview in 1999, Martin said: “My daughter became my front woman, my book editor became my election agent.
“My Bosnia and Gulf War cameraman became my driver and minder.
“I thought it might be a good idea if we brought in someone to add a dash of pizzazz and excitement.
“David was in a play at the time but he was as pleased as punch when I invited him to join us.
“Initially, he was just coming for the day but he finished up staying for a week, including the count.
“He was incredibly helpful and picked up the spirit of the thing really quickly.
“He was absolutely brilliant at door-to-door canvassing, especially with the more mature ladies.
“They’d open the door and there was Hutch.
“He concentrated on the under-privileged areas, people who’d lost faith with the Tories.
“On one occasion he gave an impromptu rendition of ‘Don’t Give Up On Us’ at a young people’s shelter.”
Ex-police commissioner John Stalker also helped the campaign.
Martin recalled: “We had the bizarre spectacle of the real cop, Stalker and the fictional cop, David, on the same campaign trail.”
Freelance journalist Peter Sharratt, from Knutsford, has fond memories covering the election.
Peter said: “It was just such fun going around behind them.
“I was following them around, just me and a small camera on their shoulder every day of the six-week campaign.
“Martin was a huge breath of fresh air.
“Labour and Lib Dems stood their candidates down to give him a free run.
“David was a very personable guy and had a smile for everyone.”
Peter captured his recollections in a memoir entitled ‘The Election Contraption’, Martin’s jokey description of his team’s efforts to take the seat.
Peter said: “It was such a wacky campaign. It was them against the world.”
He remembers many amusing encounters along the way.
“I recall a conversation between John Stalker and David Soul on Alderley Edge High Street,” he said.
“John welcomed David with: ‘Nice to see you, I’m a real cop I suppose’.
“’Well, replied David, laughing: ‘I’m a real actor, actually’.
‘It’s this juxtaposition’, responded John. ‘of this lovely Cheshire town.’ ‘And a couple of has-been cops?’ finished David.”
David had two number one singles ‘Don’t Give Up On Us’ and ‘Silver Lady’.
The actor sadly died on January 4, aged 80, after battling lung cancer.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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