Ronald Pickup: Best Exotic Marigold Hotel actor dies

Actor Ronald Pickup, who is best known for his roles in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films and The Crown, has died aged 80. His agent said he "passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness surrounded by his wife and family. He will be deeply missed". Another series starring Pickup was BBC Radio 4 comedy drama Holding Back The Tide, which returns for a new series next week.

Appearing in a highly popular drama series alongside a cast of much-loved actors would be enough to give most performers a dose of paralysing stage fright. But baby James Ellingham isn't fazed at all (well, to be accurate, all eight babies who play him). He plays up to the camera beautifully, stealing every single scene. The little 'un is a perfect foil to Martin Clunes's cantankerous GP who, it turns out, is not the only grump in the village. Ruth's neighbour Mr Moysey (Ronald Pickup) is just as antisocial and ill-tempered.

"Come back in five days," the doctor tells him abruptly after a brief medical examination. "What happens if I drop dead before then?" snaps Mr Moysey. "We'll cancel the appointment."

The humour of Doc Martin isn't subtle and the storylines are either sledgehammer-obvious or ludicrous to the point of surreal, but I laughed out loud more times watching this than I have at many so-called comedies.

Martin Clunes and Ronald Pickup shine in Episode 4

Part of the reason why these scenes were so brilliant is because of the talents of both Martin Clunes and Ronald Pickup.