The Professionals' Bodie dies

Martin Shaw has spoken of the "laughter he shared" with The Professionals co-star Lewis Collins, who has died following a battle with cancer, aged 67.

Tributes have been paid to The Professionals actor Lewis Collins on Twitter:

The Professionals star Lewis Collins has died aged 67. The actor, who played Bodie in the crime drama alongside co-star Martin Shaw, died in Los Angeles yesterday after a five-year struggle with cancer.

The Professionals star Lewis Collins has died aged 67, his agent said. The actor, who played Bodie in the crime drama alongside co-star Martin Shaw, died in Los Angeles yesterday after a five-year struggle with cancer. He is survived by his widow Michelle and three sons.

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Martin Shaw, who starred in The Professionals with Lewis Collins with four years, has paid tribute to the actor who has died, aged 67.

Martin Shaw said: "I was very sad to hear today that Lewis has died. We spent a very tough four years together in making The Professionals, and shared in the production of what has become an icon of British Television.

"He will beremembered as part of the childhood of so many people, and mourned by his fans. I send my love and condolences to his family,and the great many who will miss him."

Lewis Collins starred in The Professionals with Martin Shaw in the 1970s and 1980s.

Watch The Professionals on ITV Player

The Professionals was a huge hit on ITV in the late 1970s and early 1980s and made Colin Lewis a star, along with Martin Shaw with its memorable theme tune and action-packed plots.

The Professionals, which made stars of Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw, was based around the adventures of a fictional crime fighting unit called CI5.

Its memorable theme tune and action-packed plots made it a huge hit on ITV in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Collins's other most notable role came in 1982's Who Dares Wins, when he played a member of the SAS.

He was born on Merseyside and worked as a drummer in local bands and as a hairdresser before getting into acting.