Losses to the British television empire
Rumpole's creator Mortimer dies
Dramatist and author Sir John Mortimer, who created enduring character Rumpole of the Bailey, has died aged 85 after a long illness.
Sir John, who began working as a barrister in the 1940s, went on to become one of the most prolific writers of books and screenplays.
His first radio play was broadcast in 1957, and later wrote a TV adaptation of Laurie Lee's Cider With Rosie.
Sir John, whose daughter is actress Emily Mortimer, was knighted in 1998.
His other well-known screen creations included obnoxious Conservative Mr. Lesley Titmuss, portrayed by actor David Threlfall.
Actor Leo McKern, who died in 2002, played Rumpole throughout his time on screen, and was called "a wonderful actor" by Sir John.
The curmudgeonly barrister famously referred to his feared wife Hilda as "she who must be obeyed".
Sir John adapted his own best-selling novel Summer's Lease for the small screen, which featured Sir John Gielgud.
The writer also adapted ITV's lavish 11-part serial Brideshead Revisited.
He combined his careers as barrister and dramatist for several decades, successfully defending Oz magazine against charges of obscenity in 1971.
His own life was reflected in his dramatic output, with A Voyage Round My Father a portrayal of his blind father, who was also a barrister.
The drama appeared on radio, television and the London stage.
Melvyn Bragg, a friend and neighbour of Sir John, said the writer had a "wonderful life, beginning and ending" in a cottage in the Buckinghamshire village of Turville Heath, previously owned by his father.
"Life was encircled around that place in Turville and he was the monarch of that," Lord Bragg said.
"We went to pay court to him and, to be honest, you went just to laugh and to hear the latest gossip and the latest book he'd read and 'what do you think of this and what do you think of that?'"
"There was a whiff of erudition and scandal always around John and it was completely seductive and he'll be badly, badly missed."
BBC radio drama head Alison Hindell said: "It's a great loss for the huge circle of his admirers, fans and friends who will always carry Rumpole, and the other wonderful works he wrote, in their hearts."
Tony Lacey, Sir John's editor at publishing house Viking said: "It's hard to think he's gone.
"At least we're lucky enough to have Rumpole to remind us just how remarkable he was."
www.bbc.co.uk
Prisoner star McGoohan dies at 80
Emmy-winning actor Patrick McGoohan, best known for starring in cult 1960s TV show The Prisoner, has died at the age of 80.
He died in Los Angeles after a short illness, his film producer son-in-law Cleve Landsberg told Associated Press.
McGoohan played the character Six in the surreal 1960s show, filmed in the north Wales village of Portmeirion.
He won two Emmy awards for his work on TV detective series Columbo, playing different characters.
The first came for an episode of the series in 1974, with another 16 years later.
The screen star also won a Bafta award for best television actor in 1959 for his role in The Greatest Man In The World, a one-off drama in ITV's Armchair Theatre series.
In more recent years, McGoohan played King Edward Longshanks in the 1995 Mel Gibson film Braveheart.
The actor also starred in ITV series Danger Man, which began in 1960.
The actor, who was born in New York and raised in England and Ireland, came to screen prominence in TV series Danger Man, in which he played a secret service agent. The programme later aired as Secret Agent in the US.
He was later considered for the role of James Bond for the movie Dr. No.
But McGoohan was chiefly associated with cult ITV drama The Prisoner, writing some of the episodes himself under a different name.
His character spent the entire time attempting to escape from The Village and finding out the identity of his captor, the elusive Number One.
He repeatedly declared: "I am not a number - I am a free man!"
In 2000, McGoohan reprised his most famous role in an episode of The Simpsons.
Residents of Portemeirion, which has its own The Prisoner shop selling memorabilia from the show, have paid tribute to the star.
Councillor Dewi Lewis said: "It helped to put Portmeirion the village on the map during the 60s and we are still benefiting from that today."
"Mr. McGoohan is held in high esteem in the area for the work he did - it still has a loyal following of people who come to Portmeirion annually."
Robin Llywelyn, managing director of the Portmeirion village resort, added: "What he created out of The Prisoner is a lasting piece of TV at its best - it achieved cult status. It's something that we are very proud of."
Last year, ITV confirmed that Passion of the Christ star Jim Caviezel would take the role of Number Six in a remake of The Prisoner, which will also star Sir Ian McKellen.
"His [McGoohan's] creation of The Prisoner made an indelible mark on the sci-fi, fantasy and political thriller genres, creating one of the most iconic characters of all time," AMC, which is co-producing the remake, said in a statement.
"AMC hopes to honour his legacy in our re-imagining of The Prisoner."
McGoohan's last role came in 2002, as a voice artist in animated picture Treasure Planet.
www.bbc.co.uk
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