Another wrote: “Sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you on this sad day xxx.”

A third said: “I remember him fondly from Robin’s Nest where he played the father in law Mr Nicholls. Especially the episode where a German character kept saying ‘I vant to see Herr Nicholls!’ Rest in Peace Tony xx.”

Tony as born in Birmingham and served during the Second World War in the army.

He also worked for an estate agents and in an aircraft factor before enjoying a career in theatre, performing a the Old Vic and the Royal Shakespeare Company.