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EastEnders star Tony Caunter has died at the age of 88, his family have announced today.
The actor played Roy Evans in the BBC soap from 1994 through to 2003, with the car dealer introduced as a love interest for the character of Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement) The couple later got hitched as part of the soap storyline.
A statement from Tony’s family revealed that the star died just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years has passed away.
It read: ‘It is with enormous sadness that we bring the curtain down on our wonderful and hugely loved father, Tony Caunter, who died peacefully yesterday evening, just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years, Fran, also passed away.
‘Dad was 88 years old. After a long and fulfilling life on and off screen and stage, Tony leaves a daughter and three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
‘He will be missed by all.’
The family added: ‘We would like to thank the NHS staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital for their incredible care during his final hours, and to everyone at Eastbourne Gardens nursing home for the care and compassion they have given dad over the past two months.’
A statement from EastEnders added: ‘It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Tony Caunter.
‘Tony will forever be loved and respected by everyone at EastEnders for his warmth, kindness and humour as well as being greatly remembered by all those at home who instantly took Roy to their hearts.
‘Roy will always be remembered for his great love of Pat, despite him famously declaring his distaste in her choice of earrings, which gave us all one of Walford’s greatest love affairs.
‘Tony will never be forgotten by all those who worked alongside him for many years and everyone at EastEnders sends their love and condolences to Tony’s family and friends.’
Tony starred in the soap as car dealer Roy Evans, appearing in over 634 episodes over a nine year period.
However, the star did not start his career in acting until after he served with the RAF after leaving school.
Following the RAF he studied drama at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
He first acted on stage with the Farnham Repertory Company (1966-69) and went on to perform with the Theatre Royal in Windsor (1984-89).
His screen debut followed in 1962 and he subsequently found many small supporting roles in television shows, frequently portraying police officers.
Some roles included in The Avengers, Casualty, London’s Burning, Home to Roost, The Professionals.
He also played Titanic’s chief officer Henry Wilde in S.O.S. Titanic.
Tony appeared in the Doctor Who stories The Crusade (1965), Colony in Space (1971) and Enlightenment (1983).
Tony retired from acting in 2016 and reportedly resided in East Sussex.
