John Mortimer, the creator of the 'Rumpole of the Bailey' novels and television series, has died after a long illness. He was 85.
The father of actress Emily Mortimer, John Mortimer began his career as a barrister in the 1940s and went on to become one of Britain's most famous and prolific authors.
His books included 'Summer's Lease', 'Paradise Postponed', 'Titmuss Regained' and 'Dunster'.
Among his other television credits were the screenplays for 'Brideshead Revisited', 'Shades of Greene' and his own play 'A Voyage Around My Father'.
His editor, Tony Lacey, said: "It's hard to think he's gone. At least we're lucky enough to have Rumpole to remind us just how remarkable he was."
