Seventies sitcom star Richard O’Sullivan, best known for his roles in Man About the House and Robin’s Nest, has died aged 82.
The actor, who also played the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin in the TV period adventure, was surrounded by friends and family.
A household name in the 70s and 80s, he died at Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety charity’s care home in Twickenham, west London, where he had been living for 23 years following a stroke.
O’Sullivan’s son James said in a statement: ‘My dad was as funny and charming in real life as he appeared on our TV screens over the years.
‘Always kind spirited, good humoured, a doting grandfather and a wonderful dad – I will miss him dearly.
‘Although much of his career happened before I was born, I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy and witness his incredible talents on the countless re-runs of his shows that made him the respected and loved actor that he was.
‘I would like to thank the incredible team at Brinsworth for their love, kindness and care over the last 23 years.
'They have been truly amazing and will always hold a special place in my heart.'
O'Sullivan Duchess of Sussex during a visit Meghan paid to the home in December 2018.
She spoke to him in the home's bar as he drank a cup of tea and when she asked: 'Do you miss acting?' He replied: 'No.'
His most famous role was as Robin Tripp alongside Tessa Wyatt (Vicky Nicholls) in Robin's Nest
O'Sullivan (left) met the Duchess of Sussex when she visited the Royal Variety's nursing home in 2018 while pregnant with Prince Archie
He spoke warmly with the Duchess of Sussex during the visit, which also included a festive sing-a-long
Giles Cooper, life president of the Royal Variety, said: 'Richard O'Sullivan was a master of effortless charm and impeccable comic timing, bringing pure warmth, wit, and unforgettable joy to millions of living rooms as a true giant of British television.
'He will be sorely missed by us all at the Royal Variety charity.'
Born in Chiswick, west London, to John and Ellen O’Sullivan, the star was sent to the Corona Theatre School by his parents to soften a strong Irish accent he had picked up on a family holiday to Ireland.
He landed his first TV role aged eight in The Yellow Balloon in 1952, before playing the main character in The Stranger's Hand the following year.
In the years that followed he played roles in numerous television series including Redcap, Danger Man, No Hiding Place, Now Look Here and Strange Report and also appeared in two Cliff Richard films in the early 1960s: The Young Ones and Wonderful Life.
His career really took off in the early 1970s when he began to star in sitcoms.
Following success in Doctor at Large and medical show’s spin-off Doctor in Charge, he landed the role of Robin Tripp, a trainee chef, in the flatshare comedy Man About The House.
The series, which followed the young man as he shared a London flat with two single women, played by Sally Thomsett and Paula Wilcox, ran from 1973 to 1976. He continued in the role in the spin-off – Robin's Nest – in which the character founded a bistro.
He had relationships with two of his co-stars, Ms Thomsett from Man About the House, and Tessa Wyatt, who played his girlfriend Vicky in Robin's Nest.
Mr O'Sullivan with the model Diana Terry on their wedding day in March 1971
He played Simon Harrup alongside Joanne Campbell and Joan Sanderson in Me and My Girl in the mid-1980s
O'Sullivan (centre) with Ronnie Corbett (left) in a scene from Now Look Here in November 1971
During his seven-year relationship with Ms Wyatt the couple had one son, James.
O'Sullivan had previously married the model Diana Terry in 1971, though the pair divorced the same year.
He played highwayman Dick Turpin until 1982 before playing the widower Simon Harrup in the sitcom Me and My Girl in the mid 1980s.
His final acting role was in a one-off 1996 golfing satire named Holed with Tony Robinson.
Three years later he was a guest on This is Your Life, as part of an episode honouring his former Doctor in the House co-star George Layton.
O'Sullivan had been the subject of an episode in 1974 – his participation in Mr Layton's edition would mark his final television appearance.
After suffering a stroke in 2003, O'Sullivan moved to the Royal Variety Charity's retirement home in west London, where he remained until his death.