Star also known for A Clockwork Orange has died after short illness, his agent says

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

The actor Warren Clarke, known for his role in the TV drama Dalziel and Pascoe, has died at the age of 67.

The star, who also appeared in films such as Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, died after a short illness.

Oldham-born Clarke was also known for his starring role in the BBC series Down to Earth, about a family who leave the rat race for rural Devon.

His death was announced by the agency that handled his career, Independent Talent Group.

A statement issued on behalf of his agent said: “The actor Warren Clarke died peacefully in his sleep on 12 November 2014, after a short illness.

“He will be greatly missed by his family and loved ones. At this time we ask that you respect their privacy in their time of grief.”

In his early days as an actor in the late 1960s, he had two roles in Coronation Street before establishing his movie career as one of the thuggish droogs who enjoyed “ultraviolence” along with their ringleader, Alex (played by Malcolm McDowell), in A Clockwork Orange.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Warren Clarke, left, in A Clockwork Orange. Photograph: Moviestore Collection/Rex

The last role he completed before his death was as Charles Poldark in a BBC revival of the 1970s TV drama Poldark.

Many viewers will know him for his performances as Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel – opposite Colin Buchanan – in the TV adaptation of Reginald Hill’s stories about the chalk-and-cheese colleagues Dalziel and Pascoe. It ran for 12 series from 1996 until its conclusion in 2007.

Other notable programmes included the BBC adaptation of Bleak House nine years ago and Channel 4’s Red Riding trilogy in 2009.

More recent performances have included a guest role in Midsomer Murders, a part in BBC1 hit Call The Midwife and a stage portrayal of Winston Churchill in Three Days In May.

Assessing his career in one interview, he said: “I got lucky with some of the things I did and happened to make bigger money. But I’ve never gone into anything thinking ‘oh, I’m going to make a fortune here’.

“I want to see the script, the character. I’ve been offered stuff in Hollywood but it was stuff I didn’t want to be involved with.”

The actor David Morrissey said: “So sad to hear about the death of Warren Clarke. He was a very special man, a great actor. We had wonderful times together on Red Riding.”

Richard E Grant described him said: “Worked with him twice and shared a holiday in the Caribbean. as “hilarious and irreverent” and

Lee Ingleby called him “a true gent”, and comedian comedian Jack Dee said he was a “brilliant, funny and generous man who was a joy to work with”.