Peter Egan: Unforgotten star ‘absolutely devastated’ after wife Myra Frances dies of cancer

Unforgotten star Peter Egan’s wife has died of cancer.

The actor, who plays the father of Nicola Walker’s DCI Cassie Stuart in the ITV drama, paid tribute to Myra Frances, who he has been married to for 49 years.

Myra died early Tuesday morning (30 March), hours after TV viewers praised Egan for his moving performance in the Unforgotten finale, which ended with the death of a main character.

Egan, 74, posted an emotional video on Twitter, in which he paid tribute to Myra and said he was “absolutely devastated” by the news.

“This is probably the hardest video I will ever have to make,” Egan said. “I’ve been absent from social media quite a lot lately and people are asking why.”

He then told his followers: “I’m finding it very difficult to say that my wonderful wife died of cancer in the early hours of Tuesday morning at 1:30am.”

He hailed Myra as “the most amazing human being”, adding: “My heart is broken.”

Egan, who also appeared in Downton Abbey, added: “It’s very hard to think straight at the moment but I wanted to share this message with all of her followers and all of my followers just to say that I will be taking a break from social media for a little while as I get myself to together and while I arrange things for my wonderful wife Myra.”

He continued: "She was the most amazing woman I have ever met. I miss her desperately.”

Egan’s Unforgotten co-star Sanjeev Bhaskar, who plays DI Sunil “Sunny” Khan, replied: “My dear Peter. Words are so inadequate. I believe a person’s worth is best measured by the love they gave out and the love they received. And in that it strikes me that Myra and yourself were truly blessed.”

Frances was also an actor and, in 1979, appeared in an episode of Doctor Who as Lady Adrasta.