Peter Benson, left, has died after a short illness (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Peter Benson has died aged 75.

The actor passed away on Thursday after a short illness, his manager has said.

He was best known for playing funeral director Bernie Scribbs on the 60s-set police drama Heartbeat.

Heartbeat star Steve Blakeley paid tribute on Twitter, sharing a behind-the-scenes photo of them together.


He wrote the message: ‘Farewell Peter Benson. You made me laugh so much. There’ll never be another like you – talented,kind&gentle in equal measure. Bless you&rest well sir.’

Farewell Peter Benson. You made me laugh so much. There’ll never be another like you – talented,kind&gentle in equal measure. Bless you&rest well sir. pic.twitter.com/hpzRm22WIk — Steven Blakeley (@steven_blakeley) September 6, 2018

Fiona Dolman, who played Jackie Lambert on the show, tweeted: ‘What sad news. Peter Benson was one of the best. Kind, funny, brilliant, gentle and deliciously sarcastic.



‘He was an absolute joy to work with and will be missed by so many.’

What sad news. Peter Benson was one of the best. Kind, funny, brilliant, gentle and deliciously sarcastic. He was an absolute joy to work with and will be missed by so many. ? pic.twitter.com/H4l5Jp7wn5 — Fiona Dolman (@FionaDolman) September 6, 2018

Lisa Kay, who played Carol Cassidy, called Benson ‘a total gentleman’.

‘Such sad news that the wonderful Peter Benson has passed away. He was always a total gentleman and great fun to work with. He was dearly loved and shall be missed terribly by his Heartbeat family. RIP Peter.’

Benson played funeral director Bernie Scribbs on the show (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Benson appeared in all 18 series of Heartbeat from 1992.

He also appeared in Blackadder as Henry VII and had a recent role in Casualty.

Heartbeat ran from 1992 to 2010 on ITV.

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