Actor and comedian Gary Waldhorn, known for playing Councillor David Horton in TV sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, has died at 78.

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Waldhorn was one of the mainstays of the hit comedy, playing the chairman of the parish council who often locked horns with Dawn French‘s vicar.

Apart from appearing in every episode of The Vicar of Dibley, Waldhorn also made many television appearances since the 1970s including Softly, Softly, The Sweeney, Space: 1999, The New Avengers, Brideshead Revisited, The Professionals, Minder, Robin of Sherwood, Rumpole of the Bailey, The Bill, Heartbeat, Gallowglass and Lovejoy.

Waldhorn also enjoyed an illustrious career in the theatre, including with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

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His son Josh Waldhorn said in a statement:

“Classically trained, it was the theatre where he truly flourished and he leaves a legacy of entertainment that saw him frequent the boards of Broadway, the West End and our living rooms on the telly! He leaves behind his two grandsons, Cooper and Bayley and his son Josh. We will all miss him terribly.”

A statement from BBC Comedy added:

“Gary was an incredibly talented actor who is fondly remembered by us for his numerous appearances on some of the nations most treasured BBC shows, and of course as Councillor David Horton in The Vicar of Dibley. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”