Actor John Bardon, who was known by millions for his role as Jim Branning in EastEnders, has died at the age of 75.
He is understood to have died in the early hours of yesterday morning, seven years after a debilitating stroke that left him needing round-the-clock care in recent years.
His death was announced by the BBC.
Actress June Brown, who played his screen wife Dot, said: "I am so sorry that John has passed away but hope that he is now at peace after seven difficult years.
"I shall miss him very much as I loved him dearly. My thoughts are with his devoted wife Enda," she added.
Bardon's characterful face made him a familiar figure on screens, with appearances in a number of sitcoms, comedy films and TV dramas. He had regulars roles in ITV drama Rumpole Of The Bailey and films such as Clockwise, East Is East and One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing.
He made his last appearance in EastEnders three years ago and his character's disappearance from the series was explained by Branning also suffering a stroke. Bardon made his first appearance in the show with a brief role in 1996.
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