Corrie and Doctor Who actor Keith Barron dies, aged 83
The actor Keith Barron has died at the age of 83 following a short illness.
The actor has appeared in many much-loved British television programmes over the years, from Casualty to Benidorm to Coronation Street, where he played George Trench in 2007.
Doctor Who fans will also know him from the Fifth Doctor story 'Enlightenment' as Captain Striker in 1983, a role originally intended for Peter Sallis. He also lent his voice to Big Finish's Who radio dramas.
The two roles he was perhaps best known for were as politician Nigel Barton in a series of Dennis Potter plays, and as David Pearce in ITV's Duty Free.
Tributes have poured in from fans and those who have worked with him over the years.
Casualty actress Sunetra Sarker wrote that the actor was "one of a kind", that he "guaranteed laughter" and was "old school".
Meanwhile, Benidorm creator Derren Litten tweeted: "Terribly sad about the passing of dear Keith Barron. He was full of mischief and could make me howl laughing with the merest glance - and he knew it. RIP dear friend."
Read more tributes here:
Deeply saddened at passing of the great actor Keith Barron. He was a good friend of the industry and of @ElstreeStudios. We knew he had been unwell. Last met him at Elstree in 2009. A true gentleman. #RIP pic.twitter.com/PUkyfEVqd9
- Morris Bright (@Morris__Bright) November 15, 2017
We're saddened to hear of the death of actor Keith Barron who appeared in many BBC productions including 'Doctor Who', Carla Lane's 'Leaving', 'Take Me Home' and as part of The Wednesday Play series 'Vote, Vote,Vote for Nigel Barton' https://t.co/1emY6CYrjd pic.twitter.com/RK3uP5PDsf
- BBC (@AboutTheBBC) November 15, 2017
Saddened to hear that Keith Barron has died who played Striker in Enlightenment and voiced Isaac Barclay in the Big Finish audio Plague of the Daleks. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/rV3kw2CrR0
- DW On This Day (@DWOnThisDay) November 15, 2017
RIP Keith Barron. #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/wbcWbLLiFY
- Pipadoodledandy (@pipmadeley) November 15, 2017
"You're a Time Lord - a Lord of Time... Are there lords in such a small domain?"
I realise Doctor Who: Enlightenment must've been a tiny part of Keith Barron's career, but God was he good as a steely-eyed envoy of Eternity. pic.twitter.com/o9JeIrrmA3- Roy Gill (@roy_gill) November 15, 2017
Terribly sad about the passing of dear Keith Barron. He was full of mischief and could make me howl laughing with the merest glance - and he knew it. RIP dear friend. ❤️
- Derren Litten (@DerrenLitten) November 15, 2017
I loved the cadences of Keith Barron's voice: smooth and authoritative, but quick to show steel or self-pity when required. An underrated actor. pic.twitter.com/VZxIaNeXsG
- Matthew Sweet (@DrMatthewSweet) November 15, 2017