---
title: "Tom Dalton Bidwell – Actor, Writer, Screenwriter"
url: "https://balshaws.org.uk/about-the-school/old-balshavians/tom-dalton-bidwell"
school: "Balshaw’s Church of England High School"
---

# Tom Dalton Bidwell – Actor, Writer, Screenwriter

![](https://balshaws.org.uk/images/images/tom-bidwell-web1.jpg)

Tom left Balshaw's Church of England High School in 2001.

Tom was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1999, aged 14, and wrote these poems while awaiting a bone marrow transplant.

He studied literature and drama at university.

> *COS COWARDS GET CANCER TOO*
>
> *SCARY THOUGHTS*
>
> *When you’re tired and weary,
> And things don’t go your way,
> And people take for granted that
> They’ll see another day.*
>
> *When you’re so afraid,
> That tears burn your eyes,
> When you ask important questions,
> But never get replies.*
>
> *When you haven’t got the answers,
> And don’t know what to do.
> When you don’t deserve what’s happening.
> So why’s it happening to you?*
>
> *When people think they know,
> How you feel deep down inside,
> And you say you’re not afraid,
> When you’re really petrified.*
>
> *When you think there is no heaven,
> And feel like you’re in hell,
> When you can’t recall at all
> What it feels like to be well.*
>
> *When everyone has left you,
> Except a certain few.
> It’s all right to be afraid
> ‘Cos cowards get cancer too.*
>
> *Sometimes when I’m alone at night
> I’ll try to get away
> From all the pain and sickness
> That I feel during the day*
>
> *But it’s hard
> And scary thoughts still filter through
> My mind
> And I’m looking for some answers
> Which I know I’ll never find*
>
> *I try to make the effort
> Even though I feel bad
> And I try to keep on smiling
> Even though inside I’m sad*
>
> *But it’s hard when scary thoughts
> Filter through my mind
> Looking long and hard for answers
> I know I’ll never find*
>
> *And I try to keep my faith
> With a God I cannot see
> And every night I pray
> But he doesn’t answer me*
>
> *It’s hard when scary thoughts
> Filter through your head
> Don’t bother looking for answers
> Think happy thoughts instead.*

His first play, Risky & Fluke, won the Sunday Times NSDF Award and recently finished a tour of Europe

His radio play Things To Do Before You Die was aired on BBC Radio 4 to great acclaim

Tom is also currently engaged in co-writing (with Mark Catley) some episodes of Casualty for the BBC.

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 Church Road
 Leyland PR25 3AH

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