Harry Potter and Outnumbered actor David Ryall dies aged 79

Actor David Ryall, best known for his roles in Harry Potter and Outnumbered, has died aged 79.

The veteran actor, who had a 50-year career across TV, film and theatre, passed away on Christmas Day.

His daughter, actress Charlie Ryall, paid tribute, saying: "Please take a moment to remember his huge five-decade-spanning career outside of the more well-known TV and film. Not just Harry Potter."

The actor passed away on Christmas Day. Credit: BBC

Sherlock writer Mark Gatiss, who directed Ryall in The Tractate Middoth in 2013, said he was a "twinkling, brilliant, wonderful actor I was privileged to call a friend".

Ryall played Elphias Doge in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

He more recently featured in BBC One sitcom Outnumbered as Frank, a grandfather who suffered from dementia.

Ryall also starred in The Village, war drama Our Girl and Sky 1 comedy Trollied.