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

His former colleagues have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to the late actor.

Chris Jury, who starred along Dudley on the BBC series Lovejoy, said on Twitter: ‘My dear, dear pal. Dudley Sutton died today. I loved him dearly.

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

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

‘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.’

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

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

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

Dudley rose to fame playing a gay biker in The Leather Boys before landing the role of Tinker in 1986, a character he played until 1994.

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’.

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

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

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

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

Dudley, 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. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk