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A Star Wars actor died after his heart operation was cancelled twice as a hospital became overwhelmed with patients.

Richard Bonehill - who had roles as a Stormtrooper in the original Star Wars triology and as Nien Nunb in Return of the Jedi - was due to have an operation at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon.

But the procedure was cancelled due to a 'Black Alert' at the hospital - meaning the hospital cannot cope with the number of patients - on January 5 last year.

A rescheduled operation on January 19 was also cancelled as the alert was still in place.

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An inquest into his death at Truro Coroners Court was told Mr Bonehill, 65, was found dead in his car in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, just days later with an enlarged option.

A coroner was told the actor had suffered increasing problems with his heart during 2014.

Doctor Clinton Lloyd, Richard's cardiac surgery consultant, told the court: ""Richard was scheduled for an operation at the beginning of February but he sadly passed away at the end of January."

Coroner Barrie van den Berg, ruled Mr Bonehill had died of natural causes.

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He said to Lynne Bonehill, Richard's wife: "Obviously your husband had heart problems, which is a natural disease and because of this I have concluded that he died of natural causes."

(Image: SWNS)

The star appeared in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi in the original Star Wars trilogy, playing various roles across both films.

As well as alien Nien Nunb - who co-piloted the Millennium Falcon with Billy Dee Williams ' character Lando Calrissian - he also appeared as a rebel soldier, TIE fighter pilot, Stormtrooper and more.

He appeared in a number of high-profile projects over the years, including extras roles in Doctor Who between 1982 and 1986.