[Sharon]

Rada-trained star of Zulu Dawn, Young Churchill and Supergirl was 'one of the most admired actors of his generation'

The actor Simon Ward, who played the title role of Winston Churchill in 1972's Young Winston, has died after a long illness. He was 70.

The star of both stage and screen died "peacefully" on Friday, with his wife Alexandra and three daughters at his side.

Ward appeared as Sir Monty in the BBC legal drama Judge John Deed and as Bishop Gardiner in The Tudors. He also had roles on the big screen in Zulu Dawn and Young Winston.

A statement from Ward's agents, Shepherd Management, said: "The son of a car salesman from Beckenham, Kent, Ward wanted to be an actor from an early age and joined the National Youth Theatre at the age of 13 and stayed there for eight years.

"Ward went on to train at Rada and became one of the most respected and admired actors of his generation. His big break in the theatre came in 1967 when he played the lead in Joe Orton's play Loot which led to television and film work.

"In 1972 he played the title role of Winston Churchill in Young Winston. This role brought him international prominence and Ward starred in many high-profile films throughout the 70s and 80s."

Some of Ward's other film roles were in The Three Musketeers, All Creatures Great and Small, Supergirl and Hitler: The Last Ten Days.

More recently, Ward had "worked tirelessly" in the theatre, touring the country with The Madness of George III and An Ideal Husband.

Ward, 70, leaves his wife Alexandra and daughters Sophie, Claudia and Kitty. He died at a UK hospital, Shepherd Management added.

[Sharon]

I LOVED All Creatures Great And Small and 1980s film Supergirl rocked (Stuff Princess Leah, I wanted to look like Supergirl!!)

[Steve]

Zulu Dawn was cool, war/military movies float my boat.

[Daverika Wulff]

I don't know him but I'm sure I will watch him in the future. RIP.

[Pyramid_Head]

May he rest in peace.