David Soul, who was best known for his role in the 1970s cop show Starsky & Hutch, has died.
His wife announced the US-born actor died aged 80 on Thursday, surrounded by his family.
Soul played Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser’s Detective David Starsky in the hit crime-solving series, which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1979.
Soul and Paul Michael Glaser. Pic: Moviestore/Shutterstock
The TV show grew so popular it spawned a host of children’s toys.
Soul’s wife Helen Snell said the “beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother… died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family”.
“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend.
“His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”
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Watch: David Soul in Starsky & Hutch
As well as Starsky & Hutch, Soul was known for his roles in Here Come The Brides, Magnum Force and The Yellow Rose.
He and Glaser also reprised their roles in the 2004 remake Starsky & Hutch, starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch.
Soul got his break as officer John Davis in Clint Eastwood’s 1973 police movie Magnum Force, about Inspector Harold Callahan, which led to a part in Starsky & Hutch.
At the height of his fame, Soul also hit the music charts with the singles Don’t Give Up on Us and Silver Lady.
He had lived in the UK for many years, performing in several stage roles.
In 2001, he won a libel case against a Mirror journalist who called The Dead Monkey, a play that Soul was in, the worst production he had ever seen – without having seen it.
Soul also played the titular talk show host in Jerry Springer – The Opera in London’s West End.