Ronald Pickup has died at the age of 80 after a long illness, his agent has confirmed.
The actor was best known for his roles in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films and TV series The Crown, in which he played the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Agent Jean Diamond said in a statement released today: “Ronald Pickup, actor, aged 80, passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness surrounded by his wife and family.
“He will be deeply missed.”
Pickup's long career saw him star in theatre, film and television.
His first major TV role came in 1964 when he starred in Doctor Who episode The Tyrant Of France as a physician.
He told the PA news agency in 2012 that his favourite role was when he played writer George Orwell in Crystal Spirit: Orwell On Jura, which told the story of him writing his acclaimed novel 1984.
He also starred in films The Mission and Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time.
In 2016 he featured in series one of Netflix royal drama The Crown as the Archbishop of Canterbury.
A year later he starred opposite Gary Oldman as former prime minister Neville Chamberlain in Darkest Hour, which told the story of the lead up to the outbreak of the Second World War.
Last year he starred in horror film End Of Term.
