Actor Peter Sallis has passed away, aged 96. He died peacefully with his family by his side.
Sallis was best known for his role in Last of the Summer Wine and as the voice of the cheese loving Wallace in Wallace and Gromit.
He played Norman "Cleggy" Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine from its first episode in 1973 until the series concluded in 2010. He was the only actor to appear in all 295 episodes of the sitcom.
Sallis managed to reach an even wider audience by providing the voice for Wallace in the animated Wallace and Gromit films. Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park said he was grateful to have had the opportunity to get to work with Sallis.
"I'm so sad, but feel so grateful and privileged to have known and worked with Peter over so many years. He was always my first and only choice for Wallace," Park said in a statement.
The Wallace and Gromit films won three Academy Awards over the years and Sallis often spoke about how glad he was to have such success late in life.
"It is pleasing knowing millions are going to see your work and enjoy it," he said. "To still be involved in a project like this at my age is heartwarming."
"To have a legacy like this is very comforting. I am very lucky to have been involved."
Via BBC News
