Blake's 7 star Gareth Thomas has died at the age of 71.

A message on the Blake's 7 website announced that Thomas had succumbed to heart failure early on Wednesday (April 13).

"Our thoughts are with his wife Linda, and his family and friends," the Blake's 7 post concluded.

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Gareth Thomas most famously played the intergalactic resistance leader Roj Blake in the beloved BBC space opera Blake's 7.

His 1981 departure from the series named after his character proved highly controversial as Thomas insisted the hero meet a grisly death.

[Gareth Thomas in ITV's 1977 series Children of the Stones]

Along with Doctor Who, Blake's 7 defined a golden age of science fiction at the BBC with its struggle between the evil Terran Federation and the Liberator crew.

His long and impressive resume also includes major appearances in Torchwood, Heartbeat, Distant Shores,Children of the Stones and even Coronation Street.

Thomas was mourned on Twitter by members of the sci-fi community;

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Very sad to learn of the death of Gareth Thomas. Great actor & lovely chap I was privileged to work with on quite a number of occasions. — Nicholas Briggs: The Human Frontier (@BriggsNicholas) April 13, 2016

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Incredibly sorry to hear this evening about the passing of #GarethThomas. So much more than just Blake. RIP pic.twitter.com/ayoXVmNo7l — Lisa Bowerman (@TheLisaBowerman) April 13, 2016

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Very sad to hear of the passing of Gareth Thomas. The 7 no longer have their Blake :( Met him once. Nice fellow. — Toby Hadoke (@TobyHadoke) April 13, 2016

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Once had a lovely radio day larking with Gareth Thomas in Betchworth Quarry, aka Saurian Major. Like Blake himself joining a childhood game. — Matthew Sweet (@DrMatthewSweet) April 13, 2016

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