John Bardon (born John Michael Jones, 25 August 1939 – 12 September 2014), was an English stage and screen actor. He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award in 1988 (1987 season) as 'Best Actor in a Musical' for Kiss Me, Kate, sharing the award with co-star Emil Wolk. He was best known for playing the patriarch Jim Branning on EastEnders for 13 years. On 12 September 2014 the BBC announced that Bardon had died at age 75.

Biography

Prior to his work in EastEnders, Bardon worked as a shuttle driver at Heathrow Airport. In June 2002, he married Enda Gates.

On 14 June 2007, Bardon was taken to hospital after suffering a major stroke at home. In November 2007, it was reported that he was making steady progress, when he opened a new stroke ward at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Welwyn Garden City. It was reported on 27 December 2007 that Bardon had walked for the first time in six months.

On 10 March 2008 it was announced that Bardon would return to EastEnders as Jim Branning in the summer of 2008, and confirmed by co-star June Brown on 16 June 2008 that he had finished filming an episode that would air on 11 August 2008. It was reported he told Executive Producer Diederick Santer he was looking forward to his return. However it was stated that the "plan" would "all depend on his rehabilitation".

On 8 August 2008, Bardon was rushed to hospital with a second suspected stroke. It was later confirmed that he had not had another stroke, but was suffering from continued ill health. It was confirmed on 5 October 2008 that Bardon had returned home. On 9 November, June Brown confirmed that he would appear in EastEnders again on Christmas Day. Jim was seen on screen briefly on 4 December 2008, when his son Jack went to see him in the care home. Bardon returned to work at EastEnders full-time in June 2009 and was on screen from 20 August 2009.

Bardon's last appearance was aired on 26 May 2011, when his character Jim left Albert Square to move into a care home. On the morning of 12 September 2014, Bardon died after a period of illness at the Romford Grange Care Home, in Collier Row, Romford. News of his death was announced later that day, and the episode of EastEnders that was broadcast that evening was dedicated to his memory. He is survived by his wife and stepson, Brendan.