1970s sitcom star Richard O'Sullivan dies at 82

Richard O'Sullivan, known for his role as Robin Tripp in the 1970s TV sitcoms Man About the House and Robin's Nest, has died, the Royal Variety Charity has announced.

The actor, who was also famous for playing the title character in the period adventure Dick Turpin, died surrounded by close family on Friday, aged 82.

He passed away at Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety Charity's care home, in west London, where he had lived for 23 years.

In a statement issued by the charity, his son James O'Sullivan said: "My dad was as funny and charming in real life as he appeared on our TV screens over the years. Always kind spirited, good humoured, a doting grandfather and a wonderful dad - I will miss him dearly.

"Although much of his career happened before I was born, I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy and witness his incredible talents on the countless re-runs of his shows that made him the respected and loved actor that he was.

"I would like to thank the incredible team at Brinsworth for their love, kindness and care over the last 23 years. They have been truly amazing and will always hold a special place in my heart."

Giles Cooper, life-president of the Royal Variety, paid tribute to "a master of effortless charm and impeccable comic timing", who brought "pure warmth, wit, and unforgettable joy to millions of living rooms as a true giant" of British television.

"He will be sorely missed by us all at the Royal Variety Charity."

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O'Sullivan was a child actor when he made his first film appearance, playing a young boy singing in the Sunday School sequence of The Yellow Balloon, filmed in 1952 when he was eight and released the following year.

His credits also included two Cliff Richard films - The Young Ones in 1961 and Wonderful Life in 1964 - as well as Cleopatra, in which he starred as Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII, the younger brother of the title character played by Elizabeth Taylor.

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