Patrick Mower is an English actor who has been a fixture on British television for more than six decades. He is best known for portraying Rodney Blackstock on the long-running ITV soap opera Emmerdale, a role he has played since 2000. Born Patrick Archibald Shaw, his career spans theatre, film, and iconic TV crime dramas.
Mower first gained national recognition in the late 1960s as DCI Tom Haggerty in the police series Special Branch. Over the years, public curiosity has grown around his personal life, his health, and even specific trivia like the jewellery he has worn on screen. Below is a detailed look at the facts available about the actor.
How Old Is Patrick Mower? (Age, Height, and Net Worth)
86 (born 12 September 1938)
6 ft (1.83 m)
Not publicly disclosed
Rodney Blackstock in Emmerdale
- Patrick Mower’s career has lasted over 60 years, beginning in theatre before moving to television.
- He is best known for his long-running role as Rodney Blackstock on Emmerdale, which he played from 2000 onwards.
- Mower faced a serious health issue in 2005 related to his eyesight but continued acting.
- His personal life, including details about his wife and children, is kept relatively private.
- The “Patrick Mower necklace” query suggests a distinctive accessory, likely linked to his Emmerdale character or personal style.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Patrick Archibald Shaw |
| Date of birth | 12 September 1938 |
| Place of birth | Oxford, England |
| Education | Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), graduated 1962 |
| Notable role | Rodney Blackstock in Emmerdale (2000–present) |
| Other known for | Special Branch (TV series) |
| Spouse | Not publicly confirmed |
| Children | Not publicly confirmed |
Who Is Patrick Mower Married To? (Wife, Children, and Personal Life)
His Marriage to Anya Pope
Patrick Mower married Anya Pope in 1996, according to IMDB and other biographical summaries. The couple has largely stayed out of the public spotlight.
Children
Sources offer conflicting information regarding children. IMDB and several summaries state he has one child with Anya Pope. However, a biography from The City Celeb and a report from Inside Soap via PressReader suggest he has two children named Simon and Claudia, though those children are also identified elsewhere as being from an earlier marriage to Audrey Giles. The exact details remain unclear publicly.
According to a source from Inside Soap, his first wife was Audrey Giles, with whom he had two children, Simon and Claudia. This indicates Mower has been married at least twice.
What Is Patrick Mower Known For? (Emmerdale and Special Branch)
Rodney Blackstock in Emmerdale
Mower joined the cast of Emmerdale in 2000, playing the character Rodney Blackstock. He has remained with the show for over two decades, making him one of the programme’s longest-serving cast members. The role brought him into the homes of millions of British soap viewers.
DCI Tom Haggerty in Special Branch
Before Emmerdale, Mower was a familiar face in crime dramas. He played DCI Tom Haggerty in the television series Special Branch during the late 1960s and early 1970s. This role helped establish him as a reliable leading man in British television. He also appeared in Callan, The Devil Rides Out, Carry On England, and Target.
Mower trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), graduating in 1962. Before deciding to become an actor, he worked for several years as an engineering draughtsman.
What Happened to Patrick Mower? (Illness and Health Updates)
The Eye Condition in 2005
In 2005, Mower was diagnosed with a condition known as preretinal glial membrane. According to an interview cited by Inside Soap, he was told he was “going blind.” However, surgery successfully saved his sight.
Is Patrick Mower Still Alive?
Yes, Patrick Mower is still alive as of the latest available information. He continues to appear in Emmerdale. No public announcements regarding retirement or new health complications have been made recently.
Rumours about Mower having a stroke in 2011 have circulated online, but this specific event is not confirmed by authoritative sources in the provided materials. The only confirmed health event is the 2005 eye condition.
What Is the Patrick Mower Necklace? (Trivia and Appearance)
The specific “Patrick Mower necklace” query appears to be niche trivia. One Screenonline profile notes that when he returned to Emmerdale, “apart from greying hair and less jewellery, he seems to have aged little since his heyday.” This suggests he was known for wearing noticeable jewellery during the height of his fame. No reliable source identifies a specific, named necklace.
A Timeline of Patrick Mower’s Life
- 1938: Born in Oxford, England as Patrick Archibald Shaw.
- 1962: Graduated from RADA and began his acting career.
- 1969: Appeared in the TV series Special Branch, gaining widespread recognition.
- 2000: Joined the cast of Emmerdale as Rodney Blackstock.
- 2005: Diagnosed with preretinal glial membrane; underwent successful sight-saving surgery.
- 2025: Continues to appear in Emmerdale as of the latest updates.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Patrick Mower was born in 1938 and is an English actor. | Exact net worth is not publicly available. |
| He graduated from RADA in 1962. | The specific story behind the “Patrick Mower necklace” query is not documented. |
| He played Rodney Blackstock in Emmerdale from 2000. | Names and ages of his children are not consistently confirmed. |
| He appeared in Special Branch as DCI Tom Haggerty. | Details about his first marriage to Audrey Giles are limited. |
The Significance of Patrick Mower’s Career
Patrick Mower represents a classic British character actor who transitioned from stage to iconic television roles. His longevity in Emmerdale has made him a familiar face in UK households, while his earlier work in gritty crime dramas like Special Branch established his versatility. Public interest in his health and personal life reflects the affection viewers have for him as a long-standing television personality.
Sources and Quotes about Patrick Mower
“British leading actor, born Patrick Archibald Shaw, one of three siblings of Welsh and English parentage. A 1962 graduate from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.”
— IMDB biography
“After several years of working as an engineering draughtsman, he decided to become an actor and trained at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.”
— Big Red Book – This Is Your Life
For further reading, see the Wikipedia entry on Patrick Mower and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Summary: What We Know About Patrick Mower
Patrick Mower is an 86-year-old English actor with a career spanning over sixty years. He found his most famous role as Rodney Blackstock in Emmerdale. While his exact net worth and some personal details remain private, his professional legacy is well-documented. He overcame a serious eye condition in 2005 and continues to work. For a look at another iconic soap figure, read about Carla Connor – Leaving Coronation Street for Good.
Frequently Asked Questions about Patrick Mower
What is Patrick Mower’s real name?
His birth name is Patrick Archibald Shaw.
What other TV shows has Patrick Mower been in?
He is known for Special Branch, and also appeared in The Professionals, Doctor Who, and The Bill, among others.
Is Patrick Mower still acting?
Yes, he continues to play Rodney Blackstock in Emmerdale.
How did Patrick Mower start his career?
He worked as an engineering draughtsman before training at RADA and making his stage debut in the 1960s.
What illness did Patrick Mower have?
In 2005, he was diagnosed with preretinal glial membrane, an eye condition that threatened his sight. Surgery was successful.
Does Patrick Mower have a wife?
He married Anya Pope in 1996.
How tall is Patrick Mower?
He is 6 feet (1.83 m) tall.
What is Patrick Mower’s net worth?
His net worth is not publicly disclosed. Online estimates vary but lack authoritative confirmation.
Why do people search for the Patrick Mower necklace?
The query likely refers to a distinctive accessory he wore, possibly on Emmerdale or during his earlier career, though no specific necklace has been identified by reliable sources.
What role did Patrick Mower play in Special Branch?
He played DCI Tom Haggerty in the television series Special Branch.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.