Ben Roberts, who played Chief Inspector Derek Conway in ITV police drama The Bill, has died at the age of 70.
His agent, who confirmed his death, called him a "wonderful" actor who had had "an extensive career in theatre, TV and film".
Remembering the wonderful Ben Roberts who sadly passed away on Monday. Best known as Chief Inspector Derek Conway in The Bill & he had an extensive career in theatre, TV & film.
— LCM (@LCM_limited) June 9, 2021
Our thoughts are with his wife Helen & family at this time. pic.twitter.com/WFndKhU3TG
The actor also appeared in Jane Eyre (2011), and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016), directed by Tim Burton.
He was born in Bangor in 1950, and first appeared in A Woman's Place (1978).
He later starred in The Professionals, Angels and an episode of Doctor Who in 1984.
His wife, who is grieving his passing, is a former continuity announcer and an audiobook narrator.
Ben Peyton, who appeared alongside Roberts in The Bill, remembered him as a "superb actor and an absolutely hilarious man."
So sad to hear about the brilliant Ben Roberts. Superb actor and an absolutely hilarious man. We were both axed from The Bill on the same day back in 2001. He came to my dressing room and said, “They made a mistake with our names. You were supposed to be sacked twice!” 😆#legend pic.twitter.com/BMnVdl3T0T
— For Your Films Only (@benpeyton007) June 9, 2021
"We were both axed from The Bill on the same day back in 2001," he recalled on Twitter. "He came to my dressing room and said, 'They made a mistake with our names. You were supposed to be sacked twice!'"
The Bill was first aired in 1984 and told the tale of a police station in south London. The last episode aired in 2010, after 27 years, 26 series and 2,425 episodes.
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