Coronation Street actor passes away at 85

Co-stars of 'kind and lovely' Duty Free star Keith Barron have paid tribute to the television stalwart after his death at the age of 83.

Gwen Taylor, who starred as Barron's on-screen wife in the 1980s sitcom, was among those to express their sadness after the Yorkshireman died following a short illness.   

A statement from Barron's agent said the star enjoyed a 'long and varied career', and that he is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary, and his actor son Jamie.

The seasoned veteran, who hailed from Mexborough, was a regular fixture on television in Britain, starring in several popular shows including Coronation Street.

His Duty Free co-star Gwen Taylor, who played his wife in the hit show, paid tribute to the actor, calling him a 'kind and lovely man'.

She said: 'I have just heard the news my old friend and colleague has died. It's quite a blow.

'Keith was such a kind and lovely man and don't think I've met anyone that would disagree.

'My thoughts and prayers go to his loving wife Mary and his son Jamie - whom meant so much to him.' 

More recently, Barron returned to screens in ITV's DCI Banks as well as roles in Holby City, Doctors and Heartbeat.

Former Casualty actress Sunetra Sarker was among those to pay tribute to her former co-star on the medical series.

She wrote on Twitter: 'So sad to hear of dear friend Keith Barron passing away. One of a kind.

'Guaranteed laughter. Shall never forget those days. Old school.' 

The TV stalwart was born in South Yorkshire in 1934 and, after national service in the RAF, joined an amateur dramatics group also attended by Brian Blessed. 

His first major role came the 1960s with a lead role in The Odd Man as the easy-going Detective Sergeant Swift.

He became a household name in Britain soon after, starring as Nigel Barton in the 1965 plays Stand Up, Nigel Barton and Vote, Vote, Vote for Nigel Barton.

Barron would go on to make on-off appearances in many of the top shows of the time, such as The New Avengers and The Professionals.

His most memorable role came as a leading man in the 1980s sitcom Duty Free, where he starred as Yorkshireman David Pearce.

Set in Spain, Duty Free ran for three series from 1984 until 1986.

Morris Bright, the chairman of Elstree Studios, also paid tribute to the actor.

He said in a statement on Twitter: 'Deeply saddened at passing of the great actor Keith Barron.

'He was a good friend of the industry and of Elstree Studios. We knew he had been unwell. Last met him at Elstree in 2009. A true gentleman.' 

The actor could well be considered one of the hardest-working people in TV, and was rarely out of work, something he confessed was a bit 'masochistic'.

Barron, speaking in 2003, said: 'If I'm out of work, I'm terrible. I'm no good to anyone.

'If I go out, I'm all the time wondering whether the phone's rung while I've been out.

'And if I sit in waiting for it to ring, I'm like a bear with a sore head wondering why it hasn't.

'You take nothing for granted. And the best thing about it is being offered another job. It keeps the whole thing alive.'

-Daily Mail.