Actor Geoffrey Hughes has died following a battle with cancer, his friend and colleague Ricky Tomlinson confirmed to ITV news.
The 68-year-old was well known and much loved for his portrayal of slobbish Onslow in Keeping Up Appearances, and Twiggy in the Royle Family as well. He also played Eddie Yates In Coronation Street.
Geoffrey Hughes has died after over two years spent battling cancer
Hughes was much loved for his roles in the hit TV shows. Here the Prince of Wales shares a joke with at the Royal Berkshire shooting school, in Pangbourne.
Hughes, known to millions as binman Eddie in the soap during the 1970s and 1980s, was rushed to hospital for intense radiotherapy in 2010 after collapsing at his Isle of Wight home.
The actor had thought he had beaten prostate cancer the previous year, but the star and his wife Sue were given the news the disease had returned.
Hughes, who publicly supported cancer charities, first appeared in 1960s classics such as Z-Cars and The Likely Lads and was the voice of Paul McCartney in the Beatles film The Yellow Submarine.
Other roles included Vernon in Heartbeat and Uncle Keith in teen drama Skins.
Hughes also guest-starred in episodes of Doctor Who, Casualty, Boon and The Upper Hand and left Coronation Street in 1984.
In 2009 he was appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the Isle of Wight, making him "the official link between the island and royalty at formal engagements".
A Coronation Street spokesman said:
"We are very sad to hear of the death of Geoffrey Hughes. He created a legendary and iconic character in Eddie Yates who will always be part of Coronation Street. Everyone connected with the programme sends our sincerest condolences to his family and friends."
RIP Big Fella.
