Actor Peter Jeffrey, who starred in numerous TV and radio dramas during his 40-year career, has died of cancer while spending Christmas at home with his family.

The classical actor appeared in the 1996 TV series Our Friends in the North as Commissioner Sir Colin Blamire, and the 1994 series Middlemarch as Bulstrode.

Mr Jeffrey, 70, of Oxhill, near Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, died on Christmas Day of prostate cancer.

His wife, Jill Jeffrey, 59, said: "He went quickly at the end. He had been given a few weeks to live but he died unexpectedly while he was at home with his family for Christmas."

Mr Jeffrey's children from his first marriage - Dinah, 44, Barney, 42, Victoria, 39, Emily, 36, and Catherine, 32 - were with him when he died, as were his wife's children Andrew, 32, and Sophie, 30.

'Great loss'

Mr Jeffrey's TV appearances included playing Colonel Bernwood in Dennis Potter's 1993 TV series Lipstick On Your Collar, and Mr Bruff in the 1996 drama Moonstone.

He was General Wadafi in Return of the Pink Panther (1974), Ahmet in Midnight Express (1978), and Mr Peabody in the 1984 mini-series Jewel in the Crown.

He also appeared in episodes of hit TV series such as The Sweeney, The Avengers, Doctor Who and Lovejoy.

Paying tribute to the actor, a BBC spokesman said: "Peter brought a tremendous depth and range of character to literally hundreds of BBC television and radio productions over many decades.

"His contribution to BBC drama will long be remembered with fondness and gratitude. His death is a great loss to BBC viewers and listeners."