Comedian and TV star Roy Hudd has died, aged 83

16 March 2020, 11:41 | Updated: 16 March 2020, 11:44

Comedy great Roy Hudd has passed away at the age of 83, his family has confirmed.

His agent said: "We are sad to announce the passing of the much-loved and amazingly talented Roy Hudd OBE."

"After a short illness, Roy passed away peacefully on Sunday 15 March, with his wife Debbie at his side."

The entertainer starred in Coronation Street, and was known for his many TV and film roles for decades.

His agent added: "The family would ask you to respect their privacy at this very sad time."

Fellow comic Rory Bremner described Hudd's death as a "great loss".

Hudd played Archie Shuttleworth in Corrie for several periods between 2002 and 2010.

"Albert and The Lion" Performed by Roy Hudd

In the 1990s, he had roles in Dennis Potter's Lipstick on your Collar and Karaoke. He also appeared in crime drama Ashes to Ashes.

In 2015, he appeared as his first ever pantomime dame in Dick Whittington and His Cat. Other recent TV roles included Broadchurch, Benidorm and Casualty.

Hudd first found fame on the Not So Much A Programme, More A Way of Life show, which also starred David Frost, William Rushton, John Bird, Michael Crawford and Eleanor Bron.