TV star Michael Angelis has died at the age of 76, his agent has confirmed.
He was best known as the long-term narrator of Thomas The Tank Engine series Thomas And Friends - where he lent his voice to the children's programme for 13 series after taking over from Ringo Starr in 1991.
The actor, who also starred in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, and September Song, died suddenly while at home with his wife on Saturday.
Michael also made appearances in Casualty, The Bill, Holby City and Heartbeat.
Born in Liverpool, he first appeared on screen in the 1970s in programmes such as Z Cars, Thirty-Minute Theatre and an episode of Coronation Street, before stints in Minder, World’s End and Boys From The Blackstuff.
He was married to Coronation Street actress Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, from 1991 to 2001, and later married Jennifer Khalastchi.
On Twitter, tributes have been made to the late actor, with one describing the news as 'heartbreaking'.
Another shared: "RIP Michael Angelis who starred in Boys from the Blackstuff, a brutally honest depiction of joblessness and despair in 80s Liverpool.
"He was a brilliant actor who portrayed characters from Liverpool with a warmth and an honesty at a time when the city was much maligned."
