 A noted Shakespearean actor, Blakely appeared on television as Antony in "Antony and Cleopatra" (1981), directed by Jonathan Miller as part of the BBC Television Shakespeare series; and as Kent in the 1983 Granada Television version of "King Lear" which starred Laurence Olivier.Other television appearances included "Loophole" (1981), "The Beiderbecke Affair" (1985), "Operation Julie" (1985) and "Paradise Postponed" (1986).Blakely was married to British actress Margaret Whiting for 26 years and had three sons, including twins.