Actor Richard Briers dies

To a generation of TV watchers, he will always be Tom from The Good Life.

But Richard Briers supported his most famous sitcom role with an illustrious career as a classical actor too.

ITV News' Reporter Harry Smith hears memories of the funny and much loved man, who has died at the age of 79, including from his stage-star godson Sam West.

Penelope Keith has told ITV News her co-star in The Good Life, Richard Briers, was "a true gentleman in all the senses of the word" following his death at the age of 79.

"I heard the news (of his passing), which made me very sad, and then I just smiled because whenever I saw Richard, I smiled," she said.

She also told Mary Nightingale of the "remarkable gift" the actor possessed, by which she will always remember him.

The Downton Abbey creator Lord Fellowes has paid tribute to Richard Briers, who has died aged 79.

The pair starred in the BBC comedy drama Monarch of the Glen.

Lord Fellowes told ITV News:

Prunella Scales has described late sitcom star Richard Briers as a "wonderful colleague and a dear friend" after he passed away aged 79.

Scales, best known for her role as Sybil in Fawlty Towers, played opposite Briers as his wife in Marriage Lines in the early 1960s, for her first big career break.

She told BBC Radio 5 Live she would always be "so grateful to him" for encouraging her to read for the part, at a time when she was newly married to actor Timothy West in real life.

Former BBC chairman Michael Grade added his tribute to Briers, telling the radio station:

Richard Briers became an Alzheimer's Society ambassador in 2007, after his poignant role in the TV drama Dad where he played the husband of a person with dementia.

Richard Briers rose to stardom for his roles in sitcoms such as the Good Life, but he was also known as a fine Shakeperean actor and a passionate campaigner against the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

ITV News' Tom Barton reports:

Users of the ITV News' Facebook page have been posting their tributes and memories of the late actor Richard Briers.

James Ball said: "We have sadly lost one of our best actors and a really lovely man. RIP Richard and thank you for all the laughs. Sweet dreams."

Wendy Hall-Smith said: "So very sad, RIP Richard. Gone to play on God's stage to entertain his Angels."

Sarah Speed said: "What a lovely man and very talented he was. I remember him especially in Watership Down, as the voice of rabbit Fiver and in The Good Life and Doctor In Distress. RIP xxx"

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