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The actor who plays Victor Meldrew has backed Labour in Thursday's election, describing the Tory dementia tax as a "complete disgrace"

Richard Wilson - famous for playing cantankerous old grouch Victor Meldrew - has urged pensioners not to vote for the Conservatives on Thursday as the party's manifesto will "make us all worse off".

Wilson,80, made his plea by writing to pensioners across the South East, where constituencies are largely held by Tory MPs.

He branded the so-called dementia tax a "complete disgrace" and warned that it will "rob thousands of their homes".

The veteran of stage and screen also warns of the Tories' cutting Winter Fuel Allowances and means-testing free TV licences, adding: "The free bus pass could be next."

Instead he urged voters to elect Labour MPs to speak up against such changes

The letter, sent out by Amy Fode, the party's regional director for the South East, is likely to worry Conservative MPs who rely heavily on older voters for re-election.

(Image: BBC)

Mr Wilson writes: "You might remember me as Victor Meldrew in the BBC's One Foot in the Grave and I am writing to you because the election on Thursday June 8 is going to be so important for people thinking about their retirement or who are already receiving the state pension.

"We have to choose between a Conservative MP who will rubber stamp Conservative policies that will hit older people hard or a Labour MP who will stand up for you and oppose these changes."

He goes on to write that the Tories have broken their promises on pensions and retirement, and they "could force you to sell your home to pay for care".

He said: "The Conservatives whacked up the state pension age faster than promised, with some women born in the 1950s having to wait an extra two years to get the pensions they worked hard to pay for.

"Many were never told they'd have to work for longer, and they're not listening to those that have lost out.

"They promised to make pensioners better off but their manifesto sets out plans to make us all worse off by ending the 'triple lock' that guarantees state pension rises.

(Image: PA)

"They've committed to cutting Winter Fuel Allowance and will means test free TV licences too. The free bus pass could be next.

"The Conservatives have now said they will force you to sell your home to pay for social care if you need it in old age.

"Any value over £100,000 left in your estate after you die will be used to pay your care bills - and there's no limit on the amount they'll take off you and your family's inheritance.

"It is being called a 'dementia tax', because those of us that get dementia and our families face care cost of more than £20,000 a year. It is a complete disgrace that will rob thousands of their homes."

He adds: "The Conservatives think they can pull a fast one on us, but let's show them they can't take us for granted by voting against these plans on Thursday 8th June."

What do the general election manifestos say about... Immigration

Housing

Benefits

Legalising cannabis

The veteran Scottish actor was due to bring back his Victor Meldrew character for a one man show at last year's Edinburgh Festival, but he suffered a heart attack and sustained a head injury in a fall.

He kept a low profile for several months, but was pictured earlier this year walking with the aid of a walking stick.

In April, he was back on stage as he performed in Alan Bennett's Forty Years On, at the Chichester Festival Theatre.