Friday Night Dinner and Chernobyl star Paul Ritter dies, aged 54, of brain tumour

Mr Ritter featured as the dopey and lovable dad in the popular sitcom alongside Inbetweeners’ star Simon Bird, Tasmin Greig and Tom Rosenthal.

In a statement, his agent said the actor, who also appeared in numerous films including Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Quantum of Solace, as well as award-winning mini-series Chernobyl, died at home with his family by his side.

‘It is with great sadness we can confirm that Paul Ritter passed away last night,’ his agent told The Guardian. ‘He died peacefully at home with his wife Polly and sons Frank and Noah by his side. He was 54 and had been suffering from a brain tumour.

‘Paul was an exceptionally talented actor playing an enormous variety of roles on stage and screen with extraordinary skill. He was fiercely intelligent, kind and very funny. We will miss him greatly.’

A talented stage actor, Mr Ritter had been nominated for an Olivier award in 2006 for his performance in Coram Boy and a Tony in 2009 for his role in the Norman Conquest.

He is due to appear in the Friday Night Dinner 10th anniversary retrospective, which will air on Channel 4 later this year.

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