The Sweeney and Minder star Dennis Waterman died following a two-year battle with lung cancer, his ex-wife Patricia Maynard has revealed.
The TV icon died in hospital in Spain on May 8, 2022, aged 74 years old, with his death announced in a statement from his family.
Actress Patricia Maynard, who was married to the star between 1977-1987 and with who he had two daughters including EastEnders Laura Beale actress Hannah Waterman, paid tribute to him in a recent interview, where she revealed that Dennis Waterman had previously been diagnosed with cancer.
She told MailOnline: “I’m terribly sad that he’s gone but I’m really pleased that he did not suffer and died peacefully.
(Image: Getty Images)
“He had lung cancer and was really quite poorly for the last couple of years. The girls are very upset.”
Speaking about her marriage to the actor, Patricia added: “The years that Dennis and I were together were happy. Obviously, it didn’t work out but lots of marriages don’t work out for whatever reason.
“But I’m so glad he had found the right woman at the end. I think he was very happy with Pam and she was with him when he passed.”
(Image: Paul Revere/REX/Shutterstock)
Dennis married fourth wife Pam Flint in 2011, following marriages to Penny Dixon from 1967 to 1976, Patricia Maynard from 1977 to 1987 and Rula Lenska from 1987 to 1998.
The actor died with wife Pam by his side, with a statement released by his family saying: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis passed away very peacefully at his home in Spain.
“The family kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Recently, Dennis’ daughter Hannah, who played Laura Beale in EastEnders from 2000 to 2004 and starred opposite her dad in BBC series New Tricks, shared a photograph of herself as a baby with him on social media in tribute to her father, captioning the post: “My Dad. I loved him.”
Fans and fellow stars from the world of entertainment have also paid tribute to the star, who starred in iconic TV series and films including Minder, William, The Sweeney and Scars of Dracula.
Comedian Matt Lucas saying: “I grew up watching Dennis Waterman’s iconic performances in The Sweeney and Minder.
(Image: Fremantle Media/REX)
“His guest appearance in our Little Britain Live show at Hammersmith Apollo – in which he hilariously duetted with David’s absurd impersonation of him – remains the absolute highlight of my career.”
DIY SOS host Nick Knowles also tweeted: “I played golf on a tour to Bermuda with Dennis Waterman – I’m not much of a golfer – he was – but it was time spent with him between rounds that were well worth the trip.
“A genuinely lovely guy. RIP.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
