pregnant with their second child and was advised by doctors to have an abortion, but because of her newly-adopted religion, and regret at two previous abortions, she decided to go ahead with the pregnancy. She miscarried, which led Lake to return to heavy drinking. For the remainder of the 1970s, Lake's once promising acting career was reduced to appearances in low-budget comedy films and small parts in television dramas. However, in 1974, he had a significant role as a singer Jack Daniels in the Slade vehicle Slade In Flame, and also as John Merrick in the first episode of the hugely popular TV series The Sweeney. Both he and Dors attended the film's premiere at the Metropole Theatre, Victoria, London, on 13 February 1975. In 1980, the pair separated for a time, although they were reconciled when Lake promised to undergo treatment for his alcoholism. Lake's acting work became less frequent in the 1980s, and Dors' health began to deteriorate. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1982, and died in May 1984. Lake then burnt all of Dors' clothes, and fell into a depression. On 10 October 1984, five months after Dors' death, and 16 years to the day since they had first met, he took their teenage son Jason to the railway station, returned to his Sunningdale home, and killed himself by shooting himself in the mouth in their son's bedroom. His roles included Herrick in the Doctor Who story Underworld; and parts in Cluff, Redcap, Sergeant Cork, The Saint, Public Eye, The Avengers, Department S, Dixon of Dock Green, The Protectors, Z-Cars, Softly, Softly: Taskforce, Crown Court, The Sweeney, Angels, Target, Hazel, Strangers, Blake's 7, Juliet Bravo, The Gentle Touch, Hart to Hart, and Bergerac. In 1969, he recorded a pop single, "Good Times"/"Got To Have Tenderness" (the former a cover of a song written by Harry Nilsson), which was released by Ember Records (EMBS 278). Acting roles Film Catch Us If You Can, aka Having a Wild Weekend (1965) — Cameraman (uncredited) Sky West and Crooked, aka Gypsy Girl (1966) — Camlo The Christmas Tree (1966) — Truck driver (uncredited) Charlie Bubbles (1967) — Airman Freelance (1971) — Dean Swedish Wildcats (1972) — Bodyguard Hide and Seek (1972) — Lorrimer Layout for 5 Models (1972) — Andy Percy's Progress (1974) — Derry Hogan The Swordsman (1974) — Reynaud Duval The Amorous Milkman (1975) — Sandy Slade