Aliens actor Al Matthews has been found dead at his retirement home in Spain.

Matthews’ body was discovered on Saturday evening in the Costa Blanca resort of La Zenia on Sunday morning.

A neighbour found him lying on his bed and an ambulance was called, but medical responders and a doctor could only certify him dead at the scene.

The 74-year-old, who moved to Spain from the UK several years ago, was best known for his appearance as Gunnery Sergeant Apone in James Cameron’s 1986 film Aliens.

(Image: Hulton Archive)

He reprised his role 27 years later, providing the voice of Apone for the video game Aliens: Colonial Marines.

As well as singing and acting, Matthews was a member of the US Marine Corps and served during the Vietnam War.

He boasted of holding 13 combat awards and decorations including two Purple Hearts.

Mr Matthews also appeared as a fire chief in Superman III in 1983 and in Grange Hill as the dad of Benny Green, played by Terry Sue-Patt whose decomposed body was found at his home in Walthamstow, east London in July 2015.

(Image: Hulton Archive) (Image: Hulton Archive)

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New York-born Matthews’ 1975 hit ‘Fool’ reached number 16 in the UK charts. Local reports said the expat, who was due to turn 75 next month, suffered from several severe illnesses and there were no signs of any violence.

A post-mortem is expected to show he died of natural causes.