Keith Barron dead: Veteran British TV actor known for Where the Heart is and Duty Free dies aged 83

Keith Barron, best known for appearing on the British sitcom Duty Free, has died aged 83 after a short illness.

The actor starred in various TV shows including Where the Heart is, Coronation Street and Take Me Home, along with a role in Hollywood’s 1975 adaptation of The Land That Time Forgot.

In a statement, his agent said: “He had a long and varied career which included the Nigel Barton plays by Dennis Potter, of which he was immensely proud.

“He is survived by his wife Mary to whom he was married for 58 years and his son, Jamie, also an actor.”

Born in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, Barron studied acting at the former Sheffield Playhouse, where he met future wife, the stage designer Mary Pickard.

Barron quickly rose to national fame after playing Detective Sergeant Swift in The Odd Man and its spin-off, It’s Dark Outside. He went on to appear in Doctor Who, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Professionals, Strange Report, The New Avengers, Haggard and All Night Long.

The actor’s last television appearance was on the ITV show DCI Banks, where he played the character Arthur Banks for 10 episodes.