The Professionals actor Lewis Collins dies aged 67

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.

His agent said: "He died peacefully at his LA home surrounded by his family. Privacy is asked for at this very sad time."

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

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.