Dalziel And Pascoe actor Warren Clarke dies, aged 67

Actor Malcolm McDowell has spoken of his sadness following the death of his friend Warren Clarke, describing him as a "fantastic actor".

He told ITV News: "He was truly a fantastic actor. As well as being a incredibly funny mimic! He always got me laughing into tears with his rendition of Eddie Waring, the rugby league commentator."

McDowell, who starred alongside Clarke in A Clockwork Orange, added: "When we were auditioning for the role of Dim, in A Clockwork Orange, in my mind, there was only one actor to play that part. After some convincing, Stanley was on board with that decision, and the rest is history!"

Stars who worked with Warren Clarke, the actor best known for his role in detective drama Dalziel And Pascoe, have paid tribute to him today following his death at the age of 67.

David Morrissey, who worked with Clarke on the drama Red Riding said: "So sad to hear about the death of Warren Clarke. He was a very special man, a great actor."

Watch Clarke in his role in the BBC's The Invisibles below:

And writer and broadcaster Tony Parsons said: "Warren Clarke was wonderful for 40 years - from Dalziel And Pascoe all the way back to Dim in Clockwork Orange."

Actor Will Mellor took to Twitter to pay his respects.

The actor Warren Clarke, best known on TV for his role in Dalziel And Pascoe, has died at the age of 67, his agent has announced.

Clarke appeared in films such as Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, is said to have died after what his agent has described as a "short illness."

Oldham-born Clarke was also known for his starring role in BBC series Down To Earth, about a family who leave the rat race to relocate to rural Devon.

His death was announced by the agency which handled his career, Independent Talent Group.

A statement issued on behalf of his agent said: "The actor Warren Clarke died peacefully in his sleep on November 12 2014, after a short illness.

"He will be greatly missed by his family and loved ones. At this time we ask that you respect their privacy in their time of grief."

In his early days as an actor, he had roles as two characters in Coronation Street in the late 1960s, before establishing his movie career as one of the thuggish droogs who enjoyed "ultraviolence" along with their ringleader Alex (played by Malcolm McDowell) in A Clockwork Orange.

Warren Clarke: Career highlights