The telly legend – who starred in the long-running television advert for Oxo – has died at the age of 79, his son confirmed.
Beloved actor Michael – who appeared alongside his onscreen wife Lynda Bellingham in the nostalgic commercial – sadly passed away at his home in Spain following a lengthy illness las Friday.
The star was best known for his role as the Oxo dad in the advert sporting his trademark moustache which was on the airwaves for 16 years between 1983 and 1999.
READ MORE: Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder leads mourners as he carries late brother’s casket at funeral
His loving son Ashley confirmed the devastating news as he paid a sweet tribute to his late father.
(Image: OXO)
Speaking to the Mirror, he gushed: “Over the years, he was cast in a variety of roles including leading parts in the soap opera United!, The Newcomers as well as roles in classics such as The Two Ronnies, Porridge and Some Mothers Do Av ‘Em.
“He of course was best known for his role n the Oxo commercials, which he did for 17 years and became a much loved figure in one of Britain’s favourite television families.
“He will be greatly missed by his wife Carol and his family,” he concluded.
(Image: OXO)
As well as Michael’s success in the hugely popular TV commercial, the actor also appeared in a slew of other TV dramas and comedies over his lengthy career too.
Michael has performed roles in The Young Detectives, Crossroads, The Offence, And Mother Makes Five, George & Mildred.
He also appeared in Robin’s Nest, The Young Ones, Filthy, Rich and Catflap, Boon and Fool’s Gold: The Story of the Brink’s-Mat Robbery.
(Image: OXO)
Born in the hear of Isleworth, Middlesex, Michael even went on to appear in such comedies as Man About the House alongside Richard O’Sullivan, Bless This House with Sid James and Some Mothers Do Av ‘Em with Michael Crawford.
But the star still had time to squeeze in some work on the beloved soap operas including a leading role in one episode of EastEnders and Doctors, while he also made an appearance in the 1982 Porridge and The Two Ronnies Christmas Special.
(Image: OXO)
For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Michael’s IMBD page is full of television credits throughout his career, but in his golden years the star enjoyed his life out of the lime light as he went on to work as a cab driver before he moved to Spain.
The actor left the UK with his wife Carol after the success of the Oxo adverts where he continued to keep a low profile.
He previously spoke to the Dorset Echo about his life after the Oxo ads: “The other work dried up over those years because I was so high-profile.
“But it was fabulous, they were really nice people. Linda was smashing – it was a very happy job.”
READ NEXT:
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
