Softly Softly's PC Snow actor Terence Rigby dies at 71

His film credits included Mona Lisa Smile in 2003, the Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The Dogs of War (1980), Get Carter (1971), and Scandal (1989).

Rigby was well known as PC Snow but also had many films to his name.

On TV, Rigby was best known for his role as PC Snow in the TV series Softly, Softly: Task Force from the 1960s and 1970s. Other credits included Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, The Beiderbecke Affair, Holby City and Heartbeat.

Catherine Sparks, Rigby's sister, said on behalf of the actor's family: "We are so proud of Terry and are going to miss him terribly.

"He was true to his art and respected by all the industry - he was the actor's actor."

The actor's spokesman Peter Charlesworth said: "He will be sorely missed. There are not so many like him anymore.

"He was a very powerful character actor, able to play villains and nice roles with ease. He was particularly good at playing Pinter roles, which were very difficult."

In the theatre, Rigby appeared in The Cherry Orchard and Waiting for Godot at the National Theatre.

He appeared in Royal Shakespeare Company productions of Pinter's The Homecoming and 1977 play State of Revolution, in which he was cast as Stalin.

Rigby was also cast in several theatre productions in the US.

His last work there was in February this year in the Oscar Wilde play A Woman of No Importance.

The actor, who studied at Rada, had been living in London and New York since February.