Tony Caunter, who played Roy Evans on BBC soap EastEnders, died just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years passed away
EastEnders star Pam St Clement has shared a moving tribute to her former on-screen husband Tony Caunter, after his death was announced on Tuesday.
Tony, who played Roy Evans on the BBC soap, died just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years passed away.
In a statement provided to The Sun, Tony’s former co-star Pam said: “I am very saddened to hear of Tony’s passing. He was not only a lovely man, but a true gentleman to work with.”
The sad news of Tony’s death was announced in a statement by the actor’s family yesterday. They said: “It is with enormous sadness that we bring the curtain down on our wonderful and hugely loved father, Tony Caunter, who died peacefully yesterday evening, just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years, Fran, also passed away.
“Dad was 88 years old. After a long and fulfilling life on and off screen and stage, Tony leaves a daughter and three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all.”
The family went on to praise the care Tony had been given in his final months.
They added: “We would like to thank the NHS staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital for their incredible care during his final hours, and to everyone at Eastbourne Gardens nursing home for the care and compassion they have given dad over the past two months.”
EastEnders have paid tribute to their former cast member, highlighting his on-screen marriage to Pam St. Clements’ Pat Butcher.
The show said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Tony Caunter.
“Tony will forever be loved and respected by everyone at EastEnders for his warmth, kindness and humour as well as being greatly remembered by all those at home who instantly took Roy to their hearts.
“Roy will always be remembered for his great love of Pat, despite him famously declaring his distaste in her choice of earrings, which gave us all one of Walford’s greatest love affairs.
“Tony will never be forgotten by all those who worked alongside him for many years and everyone at EastEnders sends their love and condolences to Tony’s family and friends.”
As well as his role in EastEnders, Tony also appeared in The Avengers, Casualty, The Sweeney, Minder, and Queenie’s Castle.
He retired from acting a few years after leaving the soap, with his final credit being an episode of Doctors in 2008.
This is a breaking news story.