It has emerged that veteran British comedy actor Hugh Lloyd died yesterday, aged 85.

Lloyd is probably best known to audiences for his appearances in 25 episodes of Hancock's Half Hour, including the classic Blood Donor episode. In the 60s the much-loved actor also had starring roles in the classic British sitcoms The Gnomes of Dulwich and Hugh and I.

The actor's long list of guest star credits includes shows like Oh, Doctor Beeching!, You Rang, M'Lord?, In Sickness and in Health, That's My Boy and Till Death Us Do Part. Lloyd's most recent sitcom role was as Martin, a love interest for Susan's mother, in a 2006 episode My Family.

The actor always claimed he was happiest in 'cheerless underdog parts'. He had a strong career on the stage, including stints at a number of West End theatres and as part of the Royal National Theatre company.

Lloyd, who was awarded an MBE in 2005 for his services to drama and charity, died at his home in Worthing, West Sussex. He leaves a wife, Sian. His close friend of 40 years Kerry de Courcy said: "He was a lovely man. You hear so much of that in showbusiness, but he really was. He did charity work for many years."

The Telegraph has published an in-depth obituary.