**Coronation Street Actor Sets Out on Motorcycle Challenge in Tribute to Late Friend**
Charles Dale, widely recognised for his roles on British television, is embarking on a heartfelt journey across the UK to commemorate a cherished friend who passed away in a tragic household accident. The 62-year-old actor, who captured viewers’ hearts as Dennis Stringer in *Coronation Street* and Big Mac in *Casualty*, was profoundly shaken by the sudden loss of Shaun Griffiths, who suffered a fatal brain injury last year after slipping on the stairs.
Shaun Griffiths, aged 63, sustained a traumatic head injury in October 2024 following a fall in his home. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Griffiths’ family were faced with the agonising choice to withdraw life support just over a week after the incident. The death left Dale, who shared more than four decades of friendship with Griffiths, reeling and searching for meaning in the wake of such an unexpected tragedy.
“Losing a friend is always difficult, but when it happens due to a random, seemingly harmless event, the shock is even more profound,” Dale explained. “We’ve all slipped on the stairs at some point. To lose Shaun in this way, someone who was always so full of life and laughter, it just didn’t make sense. I felt I had to take action, to do something positive to honour his memory.”
In response, Dale conceived ‘Shaun’s TT One Hundred’ – an ambitious, sponsored motorbike tour of Great Britain. Starting in his hometown of Tenby, where he currently acts as deputy mayor, Dale plans to visit 100 motorcycle cafés over the course of a month. He will not make the journey alone; other supporters and fundraisers are joining him along the route to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research and Headway, a charity supporting people affected by brain injuries.
Becoming an ambassador for Brain Tumour Research, Dale feels compelled to shed light on the impact of brain injuries and tumours, which have touched the lives of numerous friends and colleagues. Among those are his *Coronation Street* co-star Bill Tarmey, whose son Carl succumbed to a brain tumour, and celebrated poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who died from the same condition in 2023. Fellow actor and campaigner Craig Russell, another friend of Dale’s, also endured major surgery for a meningioma two years ago.
“Brain tumours and injuries destroy lives in an instant, yet the cause remains chronically underfunded,” Dale said. “Just 1% of the UK’s national cancer research budget has been allocated to brain tumour research since records began. These figures are shocking, particularly given the fact that brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer. We desperately need more research and better support for affected families.”
Dan Knowles, CEO of Brain Tumour Research, praised Dale’s dedication to raising public awareness: “Charles’s personal support and passion for change have already amplified some of our biggest campaigns, from Shine A Light to Wear A Hat Day. With his help, we are determined to secure better support and urgently needed research funding for patients and their loved ones.”
Charities like Headway, the UK’s main support network for people living with and recovering from brain injuries, play a vital role in providing guidance and services to survivors, families, and carers. Headway also coordinates more than 100 independent local branches and volunteer-led groups, highlighting how widespread the need for such support is across the country.
Dale’s month-long, two-wheeled adventure represents not only a tribute to Griffiths but also a wider call to action. Through ‘Shaun’s TT One Hundred,’ he hopes to provide a glimmer of hope for families grappling with the devastating effects of brain injuries, and to ensure that no story like Shaun’s goes unnoticed.
The actor encourages the public to follow the journey and support the ongoing fundraising efforts. As the ride commences, Dale’s efforts underscore both the randomness of tragedy and the lasting resilience that friendship, community, and meaningful action can inspire.