Neighbours star Peter Hardy has died aged 66.
He was found dead on a beach in Fremantle, Perth in Australia after drowning while snorkelling in the ocean.
The actor is said to have been visiting his mother in Perth from London when he decided to swim in the ocean and ran into trouble.
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The exact circumstances of his death are not yet known.
Hardy appeared in three episodes of Neighbours as Jimmy Drane in 1997 but was best known for his role in McLeod’s Daughters and Chopper.
Bystanders on the beach are said to have performed CPR on Hardy until the paramedics arrived but the crew failed to save the actor’s life and he died at the scene.
His brother confirmed the tragic news on social media on Friday, posting: “I’m devastated to say that my brother, Peter Hardy, passed away suddenly this morning… Rest in Peace my beloved little brother.”
Peter’s friend Ross Anderson wrote: “This news is such a heartbreaking shock. He’ll be held in the wide arms of the ocean he grow up beside, and in the hearts of all those he welcomed into his vital and witty orbit. Sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”
Another friend Andy Burns wrote: “On the morning of March 16th a dear friend was taken from us… the amazing and beautiful Peter Hardy drowned while snorkelling at South Beach Perth.
“He was 66 years old and looked like a Greek god, so fit, and so happy to be back in his native WA visiting from London where he had made his home.
“Words cannot express how deeply I feel this loss, We’ve been close friends since living together in Neutral Bay Sydney in the mid 80s.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk