Moving tributes have been paid to Only Fools and Horses actor Ron Pember, who has died at the age of 87.
The death of the actor, who also starred in Red Dwarf, was confirmed by his grandson Paul Pember on social media.
He wrote: “The sadness now is the happiness then. That’s the deal”.
Responding to the news, chair of the Elstree Studios, Morris Bright, said: “Sad for your loss. Your grandfather Ron Pember was a staple of the small screen with film appearances too for 30 years.
“I grew up seeing Ron him as a kindly crook in fave drama Rumpole of the Bailey and numerous roles in Crown Court. He was born to play slightly shady roles.”
Mr Pember is known for his roles in Only Fools and Horses, where he played Baz, chair of a tenants association, in a 1983 episode, and Red Dwarf, starring in the episode, Better Than Life.
Actor Danny John-Jules, who played Cat in the sitcom, said: “He was such a gentleman with us upstarts when he appeared on Red Dwarf.
“He just rammed his tongue firmly into his cheek and joined the party! What a legend. RIP.”
The official Red Dwarf account said: “RIP Ron Pember. A terrific character actor, stage director and dramatist who made a memorable appearance in Series II’s Better Than Life.”
Also paying tribute was the official Only Fools and Horses account, which said: “We are saddened to hear of the news of the death of Ron Pember who played Baz in the series 3 episode ‘Homesick’
“Our thoughts and warm wishes go to his family and friends.”
He also played the role of Alain Muny in the 1970s BBC drama series Secret Army, among others, and wrote a stage musical entitled Jack the Ripper in 1975.
Mr Pember was born in Essex 1934 and married Yvonne Tylee in 1959.
He stopped his acting career after suffering a stroke in 1992, and retired in Southend-on-Sea.
