Burt Kwouk, who played Inspector Clouseau's manservant Cato in the Pink Panther films, has died aged 85.

The news was confirmed in a statement from his agent which read: "Beloved actor Burt Kwouk has sadly passed peacefully away 24th May.

"The family will be having a private funeral but there will be a memorial at a later date."

Tributes soon poured in from fans of the actor with comedian Al Murray recalling the time they worked together.

He tweeted: "I was very lucky to have worked with Burt Kwouk on the Harry Hill show way back when. 'Hey Little Hen, when when when?'"

Kwouk was born in Warrington, Cheshire in 1930, but grew up in Shanghai before his parents returned to the UK when he was 17-years-old.

He studied in America before embarking on a career in acting which saw him star in a string of popular TV shows including Danger Man, the Harry Hill Show, Channel 4's gaming show Banzai and Last of the Summer Wine in which he had a regular role as Entwistle from 2002 to 2010.

Kwouk also appeared on the big screen alongside the likes of Laurence Olivier and Anthony Quinn and starred in three James Bond films: Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice and Casino Royale.

But he was most famous for his role as Inspector Clouseau's manservant Cato in the Pink Panther films.

The running gag was that Cato was ordered to attack the inspector (Peter Sellers), when he least expected it to keep him alert.

Kwouk's services to drama were recognised in 2011 when he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

He was married to Caroline Tebbs with whom he has son Christopher.

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