Chris’s career in TV and theatre spans over 40 years. Although most people will know Chris from his portrayal of the iconic “DCI Frank Burnside” in the critically acclaimed I.T.V. series “The Bill” he has had a stellar career in a diverse selection of roles.
Chris got his big break as a guest star in legendary police drama “The Sweeney”. The 70s and 80s saw him become a bona fide TV star with him playing in shows like; The Professionals, Minder, Dempsey and Makepeace etc…
Having first appeared as Detective Sergeant Burnside in 1984, he became a regular cast member of The Bill from 1988 to 1993 with Burnside now a Detective Inspector. He was so compelling in this role that ITV created a spin off based on his character. Chris also had the leading role in his own show Ellington which was about the life of a Football agent. He also had a stint in EastEnders.
Chris also worked extensively in film with appearances in films like; Rosie Dixon – Night Nurse, Lady Oscar, and Buster, based on the Great Train Robbery of 1963. More recently Chris played in ‘We Still Kill The Old Way’ and the sequel ‘We Still Steal The Old Way’. Chris has also just finished filming for three different movies set to release in 2018/2019 ‘The Krays – Dead Man Walking’, Mobhanded and Bonded by Blood 2.
Although he had a successful Film & TV career he has not lost his passion for the stage. Chris’s theatre work has included West End leads such as Bill Sikes in Oliver and recently he played Magwitch in the West End production of Great Expectations. Chris also recently played the lead in the national tour of ‘Judgement of Stone’. Over the past 20 years or more he has played numerous panto villains such as Abanazar and Captain Hook in various venues around the UK.
In his spare time Ellison is a dab hand at cooking and is so talented that he won Celebrity Come Dine with Me on Channel 4. Chris also braved the Celebrity Big Brother house and appeared on the celebrity version of the television game show Pointless.
