Tributes have been paid to former Emmerdale star Tony Haygarth, who has died at the age of 72.
The acclaimed actor had had a career lasting over 45 years, spanning stage, TV and film. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 and died on Saturday.
Tony’s wife, Carol, confirmed that the dad of two passed away this weekend at home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
She wrote on Twitter: “Tony Haygarth: loving father to Katie and Becky, my greatest supporter, actor of extraordinary talent. RIP 1945-2017.”
Tony Haygarth: loving father to Katie & Becky, my greatest supporter, actor of extraordinary talent RIP 1945-2017 pic.twitter.com/ppBG2keMNh
— Carole Winter (@CaroleWinter) March 11, 2017
Tony was remembered for his role as Mick Naylor in Emmerdale, as well as lead roles in ITV drama Where The Heart Is and the popular family film Chicken Run.
He also starred in The Bill, I, Claudius and Dracula, and had been nominated for Olivier Awards for his stage work, which included The Tempest, Twelve Angry Men and Little Voice.
His youngest daughter, Becky, 31, also took to social media to express her sadness.
She wrote: “Rest in Peace my wonderful father. My hero, my friend, my ultimate inspiration.”
Rest in Peace my wonderful father. My hero, my friend, my ultimate inspiration. ❤#tonyhaygarth #actor #RIP #legend #father #love pic.twitter.com/Y8UXZH4sIu
— Becky Haygarth (@BeckyHaygarth) March 11, 2017
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And his elder daughter, Katie, 32, also tweeted about her father.
“My dad Tony Haygarth passed away last night, peacefully in his sleep. God Bless.”
My dad Tony Haygarth, passed away last night, peacefully in his sleep. God Bless #RIP #Actor #love #legend #inspiration #hero pic.twitter.com/0RGKcI7Q4k
— Katie Haygarth (@katiehaygarth) March 11, 2017
Katie is due to wed her partner, Ben Thornton soon, and Tony’s son-in-law-to-be posted several pictures of himself with the actor on Twitter in tribute to the “incredibly talented” man.
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Friends and colleagues of Tony also took to Twitter to express their sympathy, including comic actor Les Dennis and Blackadder star Sir Tony Robinson who described him as “a fine and subtle actor”.