HE WAS a rogue and a scoundrel, a schemer who always had a dastardly H plan up his sleeve.
His name was Mike O'Reilly in Isidingo and David Genaro in Rhythm City and anyone who watched South African television over the past 25 years knew they were in for a treat when Jamie Bartlett brought one of these villains to life.
Jamie was a multi-award-winning actor as well as a popular leadership and business etiquette coach and mentor, charismatic and friendly in person, and the consummate professional on set. He was also seemingly in the bloom of health.
Which is why there was such shock when the 55-year-old recently died in his sleep at his Johannesburg home, the victim of sudden cardiac arrest.
"He was such a force of nature I didn't think he could ever die,' fellow actor Nick Boraine wrote on Twitter.
His death has sent the acting fraternity and his fans, friends, and family reeling but no one is more devastated than Rosa Onious (30), his life partner and manager.
The sheets on their bed remain unwashed as she does everything she can to hold onto memories of the love of her life: his scent, his laughter, his voice, and the sound of his kisses.
When YOU speaks to her a few days after his death, she addresses Jamie in the first person. "I'm not ready for you to go," she says. "I can't go on without you, not yet. I need you... I just can't..
Rosa is battling to understand how Jamie can just be gone.
"He was fine, he was healthy, he didn't complain about pain or anything, Rosa says.
"Jamie was a health freak - we didn't eat starch, he drank his kombucha tea and juices, which were a concoction of all these different herbs that cleanse your body. His skin was beautiful, he was ageing gracefully and looking after himself.
This story is from the 9 June 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 9 June 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY
Lynn and Kairo Forbes invite us into their home as they prepare for their second Christmas without AKA
DENZEL'S DECADE OF SOBRIETY
Expensive wine was his weakness but these days the legendary Hollywood actor is all about clean living
WE DID IT FOR YOU, DAD
It was a dream come true for Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse when they ran out together for the Boks – but it was bittersweet too
HIP-HOPPING ALONG!
Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo, is about to become an even bigger star thanks to a catchy new song released in her honour
IAM NO DIFFERENT
Despite being born without legs, Kanya Sesser truimphs at anything she sets her mind to
OUR WONDERFUL, WEIRD WORLD
Bizarre and beautiful spots exist off the well-worn tourist paths that criss-cross our precious planet
GOD'S INFLUENCER
After Carlo Acutis died at age 15, he was credited with performing miracles. Now the Italian is about to be canonised as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. But what did the seemingly ordinary teenager do that was so special?
RUCK ON!
Rucking walking with a weighted rucksack - has gained popularity once again for its ability to improve your heart health, increase your strength and burn kilojoules fast
MY KIDNEY FOR MY SON
This Cape Town mom is determined to lose 50kg so she can give her boy the gift of life
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
She's been deaf since she.was a baby but now Chermelle ;s slowly startmg to hear thanks to a Cochlear Implant
