John Tams

John Tams, born on February 16, 1949, in Holbrook, Derbyshire, is a multifaceted English actor, singer, songwriter, composer, and musician. He grew up as the son of a publican and began his career in journalism, initially serving as a reporter for the Ripley & Heanor News before moving on to BBC Radio Derby and BBC Radio Nottingham.

Tams gained early recognition with a role in the 1988 film The Rainbow, but he is perhaps most celebrated for his portrayal of rifleman Daniel Hagman in the ITV series Sharpe, where he also collaborated with composer Dominic Muldowney to create music for all 18 films in the series by November 2008.

In the 1970s, Tams became a prominent figure in the Derbyshire folk scene as a member of the group Muckram Wakes. He later collaborated with renowned musician Ashley Hutchings on projects such as Son of Morris On and was part of the British folk rock ensemble Albion Band. After parting ways with Hutchings in the 1980s, Tams established the band Home Service, which won the title of Best Live Act at the 2012 BBC Folk Awards. Additionally, he enjoyed success as part of a duo with Barry Coope, earning the Duo of the Year award in 2008. In 2015, Tams announced his retirement from Home Service, marking a significant chapter in his illustrious career.