Veteran actor Leo McKern, most famous for his roles as the curmudgeonly barrister Rumpole in the Rumpole of the Bailey television series, died yesterday.
The Australian-born actor, who suffered from diabetes and who had been ill for some time, died at a nursing home near his home in Bath in western England. He was 82.
"Leo had been very unwell for some time and he died this morning," his agent said.
McKern, who enjoyed a distinguished stage career spanning five decades, was married to actress Jane Holland and had two daughters - Abigail, who followed her father into the acting profession, and Harriet, who works in the film industry.
He had one grandchild.
As well as his acclaimed Rumpole role, McKern made numerous stage and television appearances, popping up as the mysterious "No. 2" in the cult British television series The Prisoner and as Prof Moriarty in Gene Wilder's 1975 movie The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother.
McKern's family have asked for a private funeral, although a public memorial service will be held later.