Former EastEnders star Hywel Bennett has passed away aged 73.
The actor is known for playing gangster Jack Dalton in the BBC back in 2003.
Hywel passed away on July 25 and tributes have started to pour in for the star.
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The sad news was confirmed by Hywel’s agent.
Hywel’s Easties’ character was known for being a gang boss and a former enemy of Dirty Den Watts.
Jack first arrived in Walford in 2003 and it was soon discovered he had a very dark past involving Den – it was believed that he had ordered his death in 1989.
Despite only being on the screen for a brief spell Hywel took part in scenes alongside some of the soap’s biggest characters.
He worked alongside Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell, when his character Jack ordered Phil to kill Dennis Rickman, played by Nigel Harman.
His character was finally shot by Dirty Den’s son Dennis.
As well as his role in the soap the Welsh actor was also known for his role in TV sitcom Shelley.
The star played James Shelley in the show – which at its peak was raking in 18 million viewers.
He played the role from 1979 to 1984 and later starred in the sequel, The Return of Shelley, in 1988.
The talented actor also found fame in several films such as The Family Way, The Virgin Soldiers and also had a role on The Bill as sex offender Peter Baxter.
Tributes have started to pour in for the star.
Hywel’s The Bill co-star Lisa Maxwell wrote on Twitter: “RIP Hywel Bennett. His portrayal of Peter Baxter in The Bill. Compelling. First big storyline DI Nixon. Taught me so much. Thank you lovely man.”
RIP Hywel Bennett.His portrayal of Peter Baxter inTheBill .Compelling. First big storyline DI Nixon.Taught me so much. Thankyou lovely man.
— Lisa Maxwell 💙🇺🇦 (@thelisamaxwell) August 3, 2017
One wrote on Twitter: “RIP Hywel Bennett! You will be missed! x.”
“R.I.P. Hywel Bennett. #Shelley,” another said.
A fourth added: “#HywelBennett RIP lad, great man.”
https://twitter.com/arutherford147/status/893374792245673984
R.I.P. Hywel Bennett. #Shelley 😢
— 🦄🐾🎄Cath🎄🐾🦄 (@purpleglostick) August 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/BillRochdayle/status/893370710730690560
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In Hywel’s personal life he married TV presenter Cathy McGowan and the couple had a daughter, Emma.
They split in 1988 and Hywel moved to Kent and is believed to have lived there up until his death.
He ended his acting career with a role in Last of the Summer Wine before retiring in 2007.