John Shrapnel has died aged 77.
The actor, famous for his roles in theatre and on screen passed away following a battle with cancer.
The star was best known for his stage work, often with the Royal Shakespeare Company or the National Theatre, and most recently appeared as Sir Oliver Surface in The School for Scandal at the Barbican Centre in 2011.
John's last TV appearance came in 2017 in Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III, which was his friend Tim Pigott-Smith's last TV appearance too.
He appeared in blockbuster films such as Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Gladiator, Notting Hill and 101 Dalmatians.
Born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, he was first involved in acting as a member of Stockport's Mile End School's drama society.
He also appeared in a variety of television shows including Elizabeth R, Z-Cars, Edward and Mrs. Simpson, Space: 1999, Inspector Morse, GBH, Coogan's Run and Foyle's War.
