John Clarkson Stewart (born 2 March 1952), known as John Altman, is an English actor and singer. He was among the original cast members of the BBC soap opera EastEnders, playing Nick Cotton, appearing in the first episode in February 1985 and remaining on the show as a recurring character. His character was killed off in the 30th anniversary episode of the show which aired in February 2015. Altman has also appeared in several films, television series and stage productions. In 2010, he became the new frontman of the band Heavy Metal Kids following the death of former frontman Gary Holton in 1985.
Early life Altman was born in Reading, Berkshire, elder son of Cecil Clarkson Stewart (1921–1995), a first-class clerk at the Bank of England, and Tina Florence (1920–2016), daughter of actor Johnnie Schofield. He and his younger brother William were raised in Herne Bay, Kent.
Career Altman made his acting debut with a minor part in the 1979 film The First Great Train Robbery. That same year, he portrayed musician George Harrison in the biographical television film Birth of The Beatles. He made brief appearances in several other films including Quadrophenia (1979), An American Werewolf in London (1981) and Memoirs of a Survivor (1981). In 1980, Altman worked as a model in creating prototypes of the Hawkmen that appear in the Dino De Laurentiis–produced film, Flash Gordon but did not appear in the film itself. In 1982, Altman played the role of a Royal Navy rating alongside Timothy Spall in the Channel 4 film Remembrance. Altman also featured in a 1982 short public information film, "Stupid Git",Public Information Films | 1979 to 2006 | Film index | Stupid Git, John Altman. Nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved on 16 August 2012. part of the British government's campaign against drink-driving.
In 1985, he began appearing as Nick Cotton in the new BBC television soap opera EastEnders, appearing in the first episode on 19 February that year. Altman was axed from the show the following year after executive producer Julia Smith told writers to "write him out" of the show after he opposed a decision to make his character gay.John Altman, AKA Eastender's Nasty Nick: It's almost like the Taliban. You can't say what you like., GB News, 13 Sep 2021After Julia Smith left the show as a producer, he went on to make recurring appearances on the show over a span of nearly 30 years. He has had a major role in many famous storylines in the show including the murders of Reg Cox (whose body was found in the first episode) and Eddie Royle, his attempt to kill his own mother by poisoning her, and his various feuds with characters including Pete Beale, Den Watts and Mark Fowler. He also contributed towards the death of his own son Ashley by sabotaging a motorbike, which Ashley ended up stealing and crashing. His character was also given his own television spin-off episode titled Return of Nick Cotton which completely centred around his character and aired in October 2000.
His character was killed off in the episode that aired on 13 February 2015 and he made his final appearance as a corpse in the episode that marked the 30th anniversary of the show on 19 February 2015. His body was found in the same way as his victim Reg Cox was found in the first episode 30 years earlier. A year earlier, his character's death had been announced in the show, only for it to emerge within a few months that Nick had faked his own death.
In 1991, he played Thomas De Quincey in Malcolm McLaren's The Ghosts of Oxford Street in which he appeared outside a purported subterranean "Boots Apothecary", the origin of an urban myth that there is a parallel abandoned Victorian shopping street "under" Oxford Street, London. This was actually the under-pavement storage vaults of 20–22 Stratford Place.The Victorian shops under Oxford Street, London. Roger J Morgan
Away from television, he also appeared in an adult pantomime, which released on video in 1994 titled Pussy in Boots. In the pantomime he appeared alongside fellow EastEnders cast members Mike Reid and Barbara Windsor. In 2001 he won the Rear of the Year Award alongside Claire Sweeney.Rear of the Year – History . Rearoftheyearcompetition.com. Retrieved on 16 August 2012. In the same year, he also performed in the Leiber and Stoller tribute evening at the Hammersmith Apollo, singing "Trouble", originally performed by Elvis Presley.
In 2002, he toured around the UK playing Billy Flynn in the long-running musical Chicago. He also appeared in the John Godber written stage play Bouncers opposite fellow soap actor Nigel Pivaro, who is best known for playing a similar style of character, Terry Duckworth in Coronation Street. Both Terry and Nick are the sons of long-running established characters, both are estranged from their mothers, both have committed criminal acts and both have made sporadic appearances on their respective shows.Beds, Herts and Bucks Theatre – Milton Keynes Theatre – Bouncers – John Altman interview. BBC (13 September 2003). Retrieved on 16 August 2012.
In 2004, he made an appearance in the comedy sketch series Bo' Selecta! as his EastEnders character. In 2006, Altman was set to appear in an upcoming British film called It's Been Real, the trailer can be seen on YouTube. (3 November 2006). Retrieved on 16 August 2012. It still has yet to be released in cinemas. Altman also appeared on the 18 July 2009 episode of Totally Saturday by climbing out of the boot of a car.
In August 2010, he joined a band called Heavy Metal Kids. From late 2010, until early 2011, Altman appeared in adverts for Daz along with actors (Michael Starke and Amanda Barrie), from rival soap opera Coronation Street. In February 2011, he appeared on Live from Studio Five. In January 2012, he appeared as one of the first five couples in the third series of Celebrity Coach Trip partnering fellow actor Derek Martin.
In February 2015, he appeared as a guest on The Graham Norton Show as part of an EastEnders special episode alongside June Brown, Adam Woodyatt, Letitia Dean, Danny Dyer, Kellie Bright, Shane Richie, Jessie Wallace and Pam St. Clement.
In February 2017, he appeared in June Brown at 90 – A Walford Legend, a special BBC documentary that aired to celebrate June Brown's 90th birthday.
In April 2020, he appeared with 7 other celebrities in the 4th series of the BBC travel documentary series The Real Marigold Hotel, filmed in Pondicherry, India.
In July 2025, he appeared in a show about his life onboard the cruise ship MSC Virtuosa.
Personal life In 1986, Altman married Bridgette Poodhun. They divorced in 1997. He has one daughter.::The Speakers Agency – Speakers::
Altman released his autobiography, In the Nick of Time, which was published on 30 June 2016.
Filmography
Films Year Film Role Notes TBA I am Khama Rev. William Willoughby (voice) Pre-production TBA 1066 Earl Leofric pre-production2020Sphere of Fear 2Demon Football (voice) 2019Lucas and AlbertCharlie 2017Is This Now Johnny 2016Essex Vendetta Marine Police Officer 2016 Perfect Break Michael 2015 My Lonely Me Tom 2009 Photo Shoot Wayne Wilson 2006 The Insane John Vincent Narration Short Film1969 Matt Short Film 2005 Hell to Pay Policeman It Could Be You Tony Mantana 1994 To Die For Dogger 1993 The Higher Mortals Mr. Thomas 1983 Return of the Jedi Rebel Pilot Uncredited1982Remembrance Steve 1981Memoirs of a Survivor Gerald's Courtier An American Werewolf in London Assorted Police 1979Birth of the Beatles George Harrison Quadrophenia John The First Great Train Robbery First Pickpocket
TV Year TV Show Role Notes2022Good Morning BritainHimselfPaying tribute to June Brown2020The Real Marigold HotelHimself2017June Brown at 90 – A Walford LegendHimselfOne Off Special Documentary 2015The British Soap Awards 2015 Himself 2015The Graham Norton ShowHimself1 episode2014–2016LorraineHimself2 Episodes: 15 December 2014/30 June 2016 2012Pointless Celebrities Himself 1 episode (S03E03) 2012Celebrity Coach Trip Himself 2011Live from Studio Five Himself 1 episode 2010 Fern Britton Meets Himself 1 episode : June Brown The Wright Stuff Himself – Guest Panelist 1 episode: Episode No.14.52EastEnders: The Murders of Lucas Johnson Himself One Off Special Documentary Loose Women Himself 1 episode: Episode No.14.141 EastEnders: The Greatest Cliffhangers Himself 3 episodes 2007–2010 The Weakest Link Himself 2 episodes: Goodies and Baddies/'EastEnders' Special 3 2009 The Alan Titchmarsh Show Himself 1 episode Hole in the Wall Himself 1 episode Totally Saturday Himself 1 episodeThe British Soap Awards 2009 Himself The Podge and Rodge Show Himself 1 episode 2008 EastEnders: Comebacks Himself One Off Special Documentary GMTV Himself 1 episode EastEnders: Whodunnits Himself One Off Special Documentary 2007 No. 1 Soap Fan Himself Granada Reports Himself 1 episode Soapstar Superchef Himself 2 episodes 2005Balamory Mick Morris 1 episode : The Game Show 2004 100 Greatest Christmas Moments Himself TV documentary Win, Lose or Draw Late Himself 2 episodesSimply the Best Himself 1 episode: Episode No.1.5 Celebrity Fear Factor UK Himself 1 episode: Episode No.1.1 Bo' Selecta Nick Cotton 1 episode: Episode No.3.4 2003 EastEnders: Christmas Party Himself TV filmLoose Lips Himself 1 episode 2002 Kelly Himself 1 episode Top Ten Himself 1 episode: Soap Queens 2001 Liquid News Himself 1 episode 2000 EastEnders: The Return of Nick Cotton Nick Cotton (TV film) 1998 Lenny Goes to Town Unknown Role 1 episode : Cambridge 1997 Adam's Family Tree Angus the Caveman 1 episode: I'm the Urban Caveman 1996Chef! Pianist 1 episode : Lessons in Talking The Famous Five Simmy 1 episode: Five Fall into Adventure Cold Lazarus Restaurant Policeman 1 episode: Episode No.1.1 1995–1996 Blackhearts in Battersea Midwink 6 episodes 1994 Pussy in Boots The Wicked Giant TV: Mike Reid Live 1992 Noel's House Party Nick Cotton 1 episode: Episode No.1.13 1991The Ghosts of Oxford Street Thomas De Quincey TV The Adventures of Scragtag and Toddles, Ace Detectives Unknown Role TV series 1990The Paradise Club Eddie 1 episode: Rock and Roll Roulette 1985–2015EastEnders Nick Cotton Series regular, 1985–1991, 1993, 1998, 2000–2001, 2008–2009, 2014–2015 (277 episodes) 1984Minder Cabbie 1 episode: The Car Lot Baggers 1983Pictures Lance Repton 1 episode: Episode No.1.1 1982 The New Adventures of Lucky Jim Vic Slater 1 episode: The Apartment Play for Today Young man on tube 1 episode: Life After Death
References
External links
John Altman profile BBC John Altman Interview