We're sad to report that Keeping Up Appearances actor Clive Swift has died.
It was announced that the actor passed away on Friday (February 1). He was 82.
"After a short illness Clive died peacefully at home this morning surrounded by his family," his family said in a statement.
Clive was well-known to TV audiences as Hyacinth Bucket's pitiful husband Richard in Keeping Up Appearances, while also making appearances in the likes of Doctor Who, Midsomer Murders, Peak Practice, The Old Guys and Cuckoo over the years.
Previously reflecting on how he approached his long-serving character on Keeping Up Appearances, Clive said: "The first thing I decided was if Richard was a really meek and submissive person, in a way there was no conflict. Because he'd be just a bit of fluff for Hyacinth (Bucket).
"So the first thing I had to do, as far as the writer allowed me, was to fight back – to protest. I know I used to lose 98% of the time and there was no conflict really, but I had to put up a show or otherwise it's simply not interesting."
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Clive, whose career began at the Royal Shakespeare Company, also co-founded The Actors Centre in 1978 as a network and meeting place for those in the profession.
He was married to novelist Margaret Drabble between 1960 and 1975. He leaves two sons, Joe and Adam. His daughter Rebecca died in April 2017.
Tributes have been paid to Clive from across the world of TV.
Shane Allen, controller of BBC Comedy, added: "Clive was a very highly-regarded character actor with a long and distinguished career. His role as Richard Bucket brought huge audiences and great affection in one of the all-time classic sitcoms.
"Thoughts are with close friends and loved ones at this sad time."
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment.
In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.
