British sitcom legend Geoffrey Palmer dead at 93: Fans and friends mourn 'wickedly funny' Butterflies and As Time Goes By star who joked of his famously 'grumpy' face after he dies peacefully at home
British sitcom legend Geoffrey Palmer, best known for his roles in Butterflies, As Time Goes By and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, has died at home aged 93.
The veteran star, known for his hangdog features and distinctive voice, had parts in some of the nation's best-loved TV series and was once a staple on screens watched by millions.
Younger viewers will remember his turn in the 2014 Paddington film where he played Head Geographer.
But those longer in the tooth will remember him from the The Avengers and The Saint in the 1960s, and alongside Leonard Rossiter in The Rise And Fall of Reginald Perrin in the 1970s.
Dame Judi Dench joked he was the 'naughtiest man she'd ever worked with' after their appearance together in As Time Goes By, which saw Palmer play Lionel Hardcastle, between 1992 and 2005.
He is survived by his wife Sally Green and his children Charles and Harriet.
In a statement released today, Palmer's agent said simply: 'We regret to sadly announce that the actor Geoffrey Palmer died peacefully at home yesterday aged 93.'
Palmer, who was born in London in 1927, was known predominantly for his comedy roles.
However, he also starred in multiple episodes of Doctor Who, including the 1970 episode Doctor Who And The Silurians and 2007's Voyage Of The Damned.
A tweet from the official Doctor Who account said they are 'sad to report his death'.
Geoffrey Palmer and his wife Sally at the The Dr Who Christmas Episode premiere in 2007, after his role in the show
Geoffrey starred with frequent collaborator Dame Judi Dench in the TV hit As Time Goes By, one of many future team-ups
He was also known for his role in Butterflies alongside Wendy Craig and Nicholas Lyndhurst as well as Andrew Hall
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin starring Leonard Rossiter as Reginald Perrin and Geoffrey Palmer as Jimmy Anderson
The veteran star died peacefully at home and had parts in some of Britain's best-loved series spanning decades
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As she presented him with the Oldie Of The Year title during an awards ceremony, Dame Judi said: 'I wish, wish, wish that this was the awards for 'most promising newcomer' or maybe even 'the naughtiest man I ever had the pleasure to work with', but it's not.'
'I'm going to quote Bernard Shaw as he said about Ellen Terry 'she never seemed old to me'. Well, nor you to me'.
Palmer and Dame Judi also starred together in James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, which was released in 1997. He played Admiral Roebuck of the Royal Navy, and was made an OBE in 2005.
Actor Robert Lindsay led tributes today, tweeting: 'I will miss him so much. The greats are moving on.'
Doctor Who actress Katy Manning tweeted: 'So sad to hear that the wonderful doleful looking #GeoffreyPalmer has gone on his awfully big adventure. Marvellous actor, a pure joy to work with & very funny man. He has left us with great memories & a huge legacy of terrific work.'
Inside No 9 actor and writer Reece Shearsmith tweeted: 'RIP Geoffrey Palmer. An immaculate singular actor, always brilliant in everything, but my favourite was always Ben Parkinson in 'Butterflies'.'
Actor and comedian Eddie Izzard said: 'Very sad to hear that Geoffrey Palmer has left us. I was very excited to meet him once and then had the honour to act with him in the film Lost Christmas.
'His work will stay with us and through that he can live on forever. Good work Sir. Rest in peace'.
Palmer starring in Executive Stress in 1986 as the character of Donald Fairchild as his star continued to rise in showbiz
Reece Shearsmith, Eddie Izzard, Frances Barber and Gyles Brandreth all paid tribute to the acting great after his death
Actress Frances Barber paid tribute to him and recalled an anecdote about his voiceover work for Audi.
She said: 'I filmed ZOO in Rotterdam with Geoffrey Palmer in the 80's. I will never forget his famously hang dog lugubrious face every morning saying 'I've no idea what's going on'... he was just lovely. RIP.
'Geoffrey Palmer years later during a radio play told me he'd just received a residuals cheque for Vorsprung durch technik. 'I just called my agent & said they've put too many 0's on the cheque'. After lunch he said 'Apparently they haven't'. His face didn't change.'
And Gyles Brandreth said: 'RIP Geoffrey Palmer - such a wonderful actor, such a lovely guy. Brilliant at his craft & just the best company: wickedly funny ... he did everything he did so well. Thanks for all the happy memories Geoffrey: we'll cherish them as time goes by.'
Palmer's most famous acting parts saw him star alongside another treasure of the screen Dame Judi Dench.
An interview he gave on the role, showed how seriously he took his performance.
He told the Chicago Tribune in 1999: 'For my money television comedy in front of a live audience is about as difficult a thing as an actor can ever do.
'It is about the comedy and getting laughs, but to me, the most important thing is the truth of the character and the relationship, and that it's not too jokey-jokey.
'You only have one bite of the cherry to get the laugh. That is the most difficult thing.'
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Geoffrey Palmer as Vice Admiral Hamling and David Suchet as Hercule Poirot in The Clocks back in 2010
Geoffrey Palmer as Matthew Copley Barnes in the Inspector Morse series episode The Infernal Serpent back in 1990
Palmer and Dame Judi also starred together in James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, which was released in 1997. He would reunite with her again in the Madness of Kind George to much acclaim.
But his early life had little in it to suggest he would one day become such a famous face on British television screens.
He was born in London in 1927 and did national service with the Royal Marines and trained recruits. Palmer had at first qualified as an accountant and has considered a life working with money.
But he always had a hankering for the stage and his girlfriend persuaded him to sign up with a local dramatic society. It was to start an incredible career in the limelight that saw him travel the globe acting.
His features often saw him play intolerant characters, but he insisted 'I'm not grumpy, I just look this way'.
He was a keen fisherman and in an interview last year with the Oldie said he took a day casting his line over a plum part in a movie.
Palmer told them last year: 'Once I was offered a super part in a film – but the date clashed with fishing in Scotland.
'My son Charlie said, 'Dad, you've been working for sixty years – do the fishing.' So I did. And the film wasn't any good, anyway.'