Peter Bowles, best known for playing Richard DeVere in To The Manor Born, has died aged 85.

His agent confirmed he had "sadly passed away from cancer".

Born in London on 16th October 1936 to an English father and Scottish mother, he grew up in Nottingham after his father was seconded to the city's Rolls-Royce factory to work as a chauffeur during the Second World War. Winning a scholarship to train as an actor at RADA (the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art), he began his professional career at the capital's Old Vic in 1956, appearing in a range of Shakespeare productions and touring North America with the company.

Gaining roles in comedy films such as Three Hats For Lisa and The Assassination Bureau Limited from the 1960s, Bowles would go on to become a sitcom star during the latter [y]1970s[/y], with popular series such as Only When I Laugh, The Bounder, The Irish R.M. and Executive Stress to his name.

He continued to act into his 80s, with guest roles in shows such as Brian Pern and Citizen Khan.

The actor's agent said in a statement: "Starting his career at the Old Vic Theatre in 1956, he starred in 45 theatrical productions ending at the age of 81 in The Exorcist at the Phoenix Theatre.

"He worked consistently on stage and screen, becoming a household name on TV as the archetypal English gent in To The Manor Born, Only When I Laugh, The Bounder and Lytton's Diary, which he devised himself."

To The Manor Born focused on the once wealthy Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, played by Penelope Keith, who is forced to sell her stately home to supermarket owner Richard DeVere. The comedy launched in 1979 and soon became such a hit that it was watched by over 20 million viewers at its peak. Bowles and Keith reprised their roles for a one-off 25th anniversary special in 2007.

He leaves his wife of over 60 years, Sue, and their three children Guy, Adam and Sasha.