Brian Murphy, the actor best known for starring in sitcoms George and Mildred, Last of the Summer Wine, and Man About the House, has died aged 92 in Kent on Sunday morning, with his wife, Hi-de-Hi! actor Linda Regan, by his side.

Murphy met Regan in 1990 when they starred in a play as husband and wife, and they married in 1995. She said in a statement: “I was lucky to have in my lifetime found my soulmate Brian who I will love for ever.”

He had been filming for a comedy before Christmas in which he would star alongside his wife Regan. Production was due to start on a road movie in June.

His agent, Thomas Bowington, described it as “a sudden attack and cut down,” explaining that Murphy had started experiencing back pain about three weeks ago. After a check-up, he was informed that cancer had spread to his spine and shoulders.

The actor gained public recognition through ITV's Man About the House, a popular sitcom that first aired in 1973.

After the show concluded in 1976, Murphy reprised his role in the spin-off series George and Mildred, which ran for five seasons until 1979. He also portrayed Alvin Smedley in Last of the Summer Wine.

Murphy had shot scenes for a comedy series in November last year and was due to start filming for a feature film, with a working title of The Last Goodbye, directed by Jason Figgis.

His agent said Regan still planned to star in the film but they would “need to take a breath first” before casting her co-star as he stated “Brian is not easily replaced”.