Actor Dudley Sutton - who played Lovejoy's Tinker - dies from cancer aged 85

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Dudley Sutton, known for playing Tinker Dill in the TV series Lovejoy, has died aged 85.

A statement from Sutton's agent said he died peacefully on Saturday at the Royal Trinity Hospice in London surrounded by his family, after being diagnosed with cancer.

A message from the film and TV star's family said: 'Today we're devastated by the loss of our beautiful Dudley, who leaves a gaping hole in all our lives.

Actor Dudley Sutton, known for playing Tinker Dill in the TV series Lovejoy, has died aged 85

'We're grateful for the love expressed by friends and fans everywhere and for the extraordinary care he received at the Royal Trinity Hospice in Clapham, south London, where he went out fighting for our NHS.' 

Sutton starred opposite Ian McShane in the BBC comedy-drama mystery throughout its 70-episode run from 1986 to 1994. 

Chris Jury, who starred along Dudley on Lovejoy, lead tributes on social media. He said: 'My dear, dear pal. Dudley Sutton died today. I loved him dearly.

'Condolences to Fanny, Peter, Barnaby, Wally and Jacqueline and all the rest of his family... and of course his extended family amongst the friendsu of Bill W. Love you Duds.' 

Dudley's agent confirmed the actor died this afternoon.  

Speaking last year about the fame he received from Lovejoy, Dudley said: 'It's what they're going to say on my obituary when I die, regardless of all the different and diverse stuff I've done throughout my life.

'It's good fun because Lovejoy is so popular throughout the world, wherever you go. But people recognise Tinker, they don't recognise Dudley Sutton.'

Sutton was born in Surrey on April 6 1933. He served in the Royal Air Force as a mechanic before enrolling in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, from which he was later expelled.

He joined theatre director Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop group and appeared in numerous plays that portrayed working class life during the 1950s and 1960s.

Dudley first became known after playing a gay biker in The Leather Boys before playing Tinker from 1986 to 1994

Sutton's breakout screen role came in the 1964 film The Leather Boys, in which he played a gay biker.

He later appeared in films such as The Devils (1971), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) and The Football Factory (2004).

Fans will also remember him from his stint as William Makepeace in Emmerdale in 2014.

Speaking in 2016 about why he loved being an actor, he said: 'Being smiled at on the Tube or shouted at by white van man or truck drivers, that's the real reward. And the ultimate thing is when they say, 'You have given us a lot of pleasure'.

'It's not a bad thing to look back over your life and know that you have done that.'

Sutton, who has a child to American actress Marjorie Steele, had been in a London hospice since July.

His last professional job was a lead role in a video for Tom Chaplin's single Midnight Mass in November 2017. 

Dudley (pictured in 1969) had a short stint in Emmerdale playing William Makepeace in 2014

Chaplain wrote on Twitter: 'Sad to hear about Dudley Sutton dying. He played a wonderful lead role in the video for my song Midnight Mass.

'Off-camera he was full of steadfast beliefs, warmth and fun! And, of course, he played Tinker in my favourite TV show of all time.'

Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack appeared in 2011 comedy film Outside Bet alongside Sutton. She shared a photo on Instagram of herself and Sutton on the film's set with the late actor Bob Hoskins.

She wrote: 'So sad to hear Dudley Sutton has passed. Such a hilarious, warm, talented man who I'm so honoured to have worked with. Sending love to his family who he spoke of always.'

Quadrophenia star Phil Davis, who also featured in Outside Bet, tweeted: 'RIP Dudley Sutton a great actor, wonderful bloke, a true original. I loved him. He will be greatly missed.'

Spandau Ballet musician and actor Gary Kemp added: 'Farewell Dudley Sutton. One of our greats and a charming man. Another one of Joan Littlewood's brood of amazing actors leaves us.'