Peter Egan has paid tribute to his wife Myra as he revealed she has sadly died from cancer.
The Downton Abbey actor spoke of his heartbreak as he explained to social media followers why he had been absent from the site.
Peter, 74, revealed that Myra, who famously played Lady Adrasta in Doctor Who, lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday night leaving him 'absolutely devastated.'
The loss came just hours after viewers were left in tears by Unforgotten's tear-jerking finale, where Peter's on-screen daughter DCI Cassie Stuart, played by Nicola Walker, died in a car crash.
Taking to Twitter this afternoon, Peter shared: "This is the saddest post I will ever have to make. My wonderful wife Myra, my friend & soulmate lost her battle with cancer at 1.30am on Tuesday.
"This message is for all her followers on her FB & Twitter."This message is for all her followers on her FB & Twitter."
"She was the most amazing human being. My heart is broken."
The actor then posted an emotional video tribute, where he spoke fondly of Myra and said she taught him to be 'compassionate and kind.'
"This is probably the hardest video I will ever have to make," Peter began. "I've been absent from social media quite a lot lately because... and people are asking why.
"My wonderful wife of 49 years Myra, who has been a wonderful campaigner for a long time for all the animals in the world that we care about.
"I'm finding it very difficult to say that my wonderful wife died of cancer in the early hours of Tuesday morning at 1:30am.
"I'm absolutely devastated. It's very hard to think straight at the moment but I wanted to share this message with all of her followers and all of my followers just to say that I will be taking a break from social media for a little while as I get myself to together and while I arrange things for my wonderful wife Myra.
"She was the most amazing woman I have ever met. I miss her desperately.
"I will make a clearer announcement about this later.
"I will - because Myra would have wanted it - carry on my campaigning, because she was the person who taught be to be human, to be compassionate and kind.
"Good bye for now and please everyone be kind," Peter signed off.
Peter met Myra in 1972 when they were both working on TV drama The Organisation.
They moved from London to Surrey in 2016 with their five rescue dogs.
Myra retired from acting in recent years while Peter continued his career on camera.
The pair both worked actively for a number of animal welfare organisations.
