Former Dallas star Ken Kercheval dies aged 83

Ken Kercheval, who played oil tycoon Cliff Barnes in the TV series Dallas, has died at the age of 83.

Kercheval died on Sunday in his native Indiana, according to his agent Jeff Fisher.

The cause of death is being kept private, he said, although the Hollywood Reporter said he was believed to have died of pneumonia.

Kercheval's character was the rival of Larry Hagman's scheming oil baron JR Ewing on Dallas, which aired from 1978 to 1991.

He was one of only two cast members to remain on the popular TV show through its 14 seasons as well as returning for its revival series between 2012 and 2014.

According to Variety, when Dallas viewers asked him when Cliff was "finally going to get JR" Kercheval always answered: "This Friday night!"

Kercheval also appeared in other series, including The Defenders in the 1960s and ER and Diagnosis Murder in the 1990s and 2000s.

He had part of his lung removed in 1994 after a lung cancer diagnosis.

His survivors include three children, Mr Fisher said.