Actor Nicholas Donnelly, best known for playing teacher Mr MacKenzie in Grange Hill, has died at at the age of 83.
The actor, who starred in the series for around eight years, died in his sleep at the weekend and had not been ill.
It is my very sad duty to inform you that Nicholas Donnelly who played Mr MacKenzie sadly passed away this morning. RIP xxxx pic.twitter.com/np3GWq37YD
— Grange Hill (@hill_grange) January 9, 2022
A statement from actor's family said: "He was a gracious, kind and lovely man, a wonderful father and grandfather.
"He was also very funny and brilliant at telling stories, acting out all the characters, marvellous company and a privilege to know.
"He loved nothing more than offering hospitality and making people feel welcome."
Donnelly was also known for playing PC Johnny Wills in 206 episodes of Dixon of Dock Green.
In 2015, he was quoted as saying to the Daily Express: "Many of my scenes were with Jack Warner, who played Dixon – particularly as his right-hand man with a fast pair of legs, whenever we had to chase a load of crooks. The producers allowed me to progress through the ranks to acting sergeant, sergeant and even dog handler."
Donnelly met his wife Alrun during his National Service in Germany in the late 1950s, and the couple were married for more than 60 years.
They had two sons, twin daughters and five grandchildren.
The actor, who was a Queens Park Rangers fan, grew up in Kensington, and his other TV credits included appearances in The Saint, which starred Roger Moore.
His acting credits extended to the big screen where he starred in films like 1982 horror film Venom and comedy film Carry On Sergeant.
In 1993 he retired to Hastings with his wife, where he was a lay minister at his Catholic Church, St Mary Star of the Sea.
