The death has been announced of actor Paul Ritter, best known for his role as Martin Goodman in the comedy series Friday Night Dinner. He was 54 and had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
The British actor's passing was announced by his agent.
"It is with great sadness we can confirm that Paul Ritter passed away last night," read a statement.
"He died peacefully at home with his wife Polly and sons Frank and Noah by his side.
"He was 54 and had been suffering from a brain tumour.
"Paul was an exceptionally talented actor playing an enormous variety of roles on stage and screen with extraordinary skill.
"He was fiercely intelligent, kind and very funny. We will miss him greatly."
Ritter also played Anatoly Dyatlov in the acclaimed drama Chernobyl and Eldred Worple in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Other notable roles were as Guy Haines in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, as Turton in period drama Belgravia, as Billy Cartwright in Vera and Sir John Seymour in Wolf Hall.
Fellow stars have been paying tribute:
Trying to find a way to talk about Paul Ritter and struggling. My friend since we were students together. So much talent and it shone from him even as a teenager. I was so lucky to know him and lucky too to work with him many times over the years. Wonderful man. RIP.
— Stephen Mangan (@StephenMangan) April 6, 2021
I'm so shocked to hear about Paul Ritter! I can’t believe it!
— Will Mellor (@Mellor76) April 6, 2021
Great man and fantastic actor,
My heart goes out to his family,
Such a sad day. RIP Paul. X❤️#RIP #heartbreaking
So, so sad to hear this. I was such a fan of Paul Ritter he was absolutely magic, RIP https://t.co/470euDcx9J
— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) April 6, 2021
Knocked it out of the PARK in Chernobyl. Watching it I consciously thought, "Oh, we have a new movie star." Between that & how funny he was in Friday Night Dinner... just unreal talent. Rest in peace, Paul Ritter. pic.twitter.com/nw8HnRZxRd
— Rob Delaney (@robdelaney) April 6, 2021
Paul Ritter was one of the most versatile & brilliant actors that has ever drawn breath. If Paul Ritter was in something, it made it good. This is horrendous news.
— Sanjeev Kohli (@govindajeggy) April 6, 2021
Paul Ritter, one of the nicest and best actors you'll ever meet, I had the absolute pleasure of a first play at 19 with him, he called me a "Plonker" when I left him hanging on stage once at a missed entrance cue - I’ve never forgotten it and never did it again - RIP mate x
— Russell Tovey (@russelltovey) April 6, 2021
