Actor Geoffrey Palmer, 93

Geoffrey Palmer has been hailed as a “wonderful actor” following his death at the age of 93. His agent confirmed yesterday that the star, who was perhaps best known for his role as Lionel Hardcastle in As Time Goes By, had died at home.

Palmer also had starring roles in hit tele vision programmes including The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin and Butterflies.

He was also in the 2014 Paddington film.

“We regret to sadly announce that the actor G e o ff r e y Pa l m e r died peacefully at home yesterday aged 93,” his agent said in a statement.

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 2 0 0 7 ’s Vo y a g e Of The Damned.

A tweet from the official Doctor Who account said they are “sad to report his death”.

As Time Goes By saw Pa l m e r play Lionel Hardcastle alongside Dame Judi Dench as Jean Mary Hardcastle in the BBC One romantic sitcom between 1992 and 2005.

Speaking in 2018, Dame Judi said the actor was the “naughtiest man I have ever worked with”.

As she presented him with the Oldie Of The Year title during an awards ceremony for The Oldie magazine, she added: “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.”

Palmer and Dame Judi also starred together in James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, which was released in 1997.

Palmer, who was made an OBE in 2005, played Admiral Roebuck of the Royal Navy.

Comedian Eddie Izzard paid tribute on social media, saying he was “very sad to hear that Geoffrey Palmer has left us”.

He added: “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.”

Gyles Brandreth labelled Palmer as “such a wonderful actor, such a lovely guy”.

He added: “Brilliant at his craft and just the best company: wickedly funny... he did everything he did so well.”

Actor Reece Shearsmith also paid tribute to Palmer on social media.

The Inside No. 9 star tweeted: “RIP Geoffrey Palmer. An immaculate singular ac tor, always brilliant in everything, but my favourite was always Ben Parkinson in Butterflies.”

Novelist Jonathan Coe, who wrote What A Carve Up, said he was “really sorry” to hear of Palmer’s death.

He tweeted: “Maybe not the most famous thing on his C V, but he was a brilliant Thomas Winshaw in the Radio 4 adaptation of What A Carve Up.

“It was a thrill to meet him at the recordings.”

Geoffrey Palmer was best known for his comedy roles.