Tributes have poured in for much-loved British actor Douglas Fielding, after he sadly passed away at the age of 73.
The London-born actor, most famous for the role of Sergeant Alec Quilley in police drama Z Cars, also appeared in BBC soap EastEnders.
He played the show’s first regular policeman, Roy Quick, appearing in 51 episodes from 1985 until 1986.
He returned to Albert Square in 2000, playing a private investigator called Will.
Announcing his death in a statement, his family said: “We all love and miss him. He was a well-known actor and lovely man and will be sorely missed.”
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Douglas enjoyed a 50-year acting career, also appearing in The Bill, Juliet Bravo, Doctors and Silent Witness.
Friends were quick to pay tribute to the star.
Oliver Crocker, an actor and presenter friend of Douglas’, said: “Shocked and sad that the great Douglas Fielding has passed away.”
He added: “A quality actor and a kind, generous, lovely man who was very good to me. One of life’s good guys. My thoughts with his family.
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“Thanks Doug for your friendship, your talent and your sparkle!”
Douglas made his TV debut in 1968 as Young Hodge in Mystery And Imagination and went on to star on stage and the big screen.
His agent, Emily McGuire, said: “It was a privilege to know him and represent him.”
Shocked and sad that the great Douglas Fielding has passed away. A quality actor and a kind, generous, lovely man who was very good to me. One of life’s good guys. My thoughts with his family. Thanks Doug for your friendship, your talent and your sparkle! #zcars #quilley #legend pic.twitter.com/p3zMwAlZdH
— Oliver Crocker (@olivercrocker) June 26, 2019
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