Very Sad news on the BBC this morning.
Sir Donald Sinden most recently appeared on television as Sir Joseph Channing in Judge John Deed
Sir Donald Sinden most recently appeared on television as Sir Joseph Channing in Judge John Deed
Theatre, film and TV actor Sir Donald Sinden has died at his home aged 90 following a long illness, his son has confirmed.
He made his name on stage as a Shakespearean actor and appeared in more than 70 film and TV productions.He had been suffering from prostate cancer for several years, and died of the disease at his home in Kent.
Sir Donald's family described his death as a "huge loss" and asked for their privacy to be respected.
He was appointed a CBE in 1979 and then knighted in 1997 for his services to drama.
Although renowned for his theatre work, he was arguably best known to the masses for his TV appearances - in the sitcom Never the Twain and the BBC crime drama Judge John Deed.
His son, actor Marc Sinden, said that his career was "probably unique in our business".
The veteran actor often performed Shakespeare on stage and television
"Even though his death was expected, it is still a huge loss to his family and we, his brother, his son, his four grandchildren and great-grandchild will all miss his humour and knowledge.
"We would all like to share our appreciation for the Pilgrims Hospice and the carers that looked after him and us with such dignity, consideration and care until the end."
According to Marc Sinden, Sir Donald was the last person living to have known Oscar Wilde's lover Lord Alfred Douglas and was one of only two people to attend his funeral.
Sir Donald trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.
He made his film debut in 1953 with The Cruel Sea and went on to make about 30 films.
He also performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company in leading roles such as King Lear and Malvolio in Twelfth Night.
Sir Roger Moore was among those to pay tribute to "a wonderful actor" with whom he had worked on 1975 film That Lucky Touch.
"Sad to wake up to news another mate has left us," wrote the former James Bond star on Twitter. "Awful week."
Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, Dame Penelope Keith said he had been "a great man of the theatre" who was "always joy, always fun".
"A light's gone out, I feel," she continued. "Donald enjoyed life and enjoyed being an actor.
"He seemed to be ubiquitous. He could go from television to films to stage to telling stories on Parkinson. He had this ability to do anything."
Magician Paul Daniels also paid tribute, remembering Sir Donald as "a great actor but more than that, a truly nice gentleman with a wonderful sense of humour".
His rich and resonant voice was much admired and often imitated
One of my all-time favourites. Sad.
Tempus fugit
an amazingly diverse actor who was ( too often ) placed in humourous roles on TV, but could always be relied on to bring in some under lying nuance ( often a subtle menace or decadent weakness ) to whatever he was playing. Yes, Penelope Keith is right, another light has winked out. The worlds a bit dimmer. I was gonig to comment on the metal Hulk ( I saw it breifly this morning - for me - ) but I just haven't the heart.
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