The actor Jack Shepherd, best known for his starring role in the detective series Wycliffe, has died at the age of 85.
Shepherd died following a "short illness", his family said in a statement shared with the PA news agency.
The Leeds-born TV star portrayed Cornish detective Charles Wycliffe in the ITV series based on the WJ Burley novels.
The drama aired between 1993 and 1998 and saw Detective Superintendent Wycliffe investigate murders in Cornwall alongside his colleagues DI Doug Kersey, played by Jimmy Yuill, and Helen Masters' DI Lucy Lane.
A statement from agents Markham, Froggatt & Irwin said: "It is with great sadness we can confirm that the celebrated actor Jack Shepherd passed away yesterday at the age of 85. He died peacefully in hospital after a short illness. His wife and family were with him."
They added: "Markham, Froggatt & Irwin are very proud and honoured to have been part of Jack's illustrious career. His passing is a sad loss to us all. Jack is survived by his wife Ann Scott and children Jan, Jake, Victoria, Catherine and Ben."
After attending school in Leeds, Shepherd won a scholarship to Newcastle University to study fine art, later moving to London to study at The Central School for Speech and Drama.
In his 20s, he became the leading light of London's Royal Court Theatre.
His TV break came in the Seventies as the rebellious Labour MP Bill Brand in the hit series Bill Brand.
The Trevor Griffiths-created series earned Shepherd a BAFTA nomination in the Best Actor category in 1977.
Shepherd also acted on stage at Britain's National Theatre.
He directed The Two Gentlemen of Verona in 1996 at Shakespeare's Globe, and the show also went to Broadway.
Shepherd won multiple awards, including an Olivier Award for the original production of Glengarry Glen Ross in 1983.
He also worked with director Bill Bryden on numerous theatre productions and was a playwright in his own right, as well as being a saxophonist and jazz pianist.
Source: Press Association
