Actor Timothy West, who was a life patron of Bury St Edmunds' Theatre Royal, has died aged 90. 

West, known for his many roles in television and theatre, died in his sleep "with his friends and family at the end”, his family said.

The actor, who had roles in comedy drama Brass, sitcom Not Going Out and soaps Coronation Street and EastEnders, performed at the west Suffolk theatre of a number of occasions.

Timothy West attending the reopening of the Theatre RoyalTimothy West attending the reopening of the Theatre Royal (Image: Theatre Royal)

In a statement, his children Juliet, Samuel and Joseph said: “After a long and extraordinary life on and off the stage, our darling father Timothy West died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening. He was 90-years old.

“Tim was with friends and family at the end.

“He leaves his wife Prunella Scales, to whom he was married for 61 years, a sister, a daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. All of us will miss him terribly.”

Timothy West during his high sherrif command performance at the Bury St Edmunds theatreTimothy West during his high sherrif command performance at the Bury St Edmunds theatre (Image: Theatre Royal)

Emma Suckling, head of development at the Theatre Royal, said she was honoured to have his support and friendship over many years and said the impact he had on the venue was "enormous". 

She added: "He was apPatron of Theatre Royal’s Restoration (2005-2007) and triumphantly led our Royal Millions campaign as a part of this.

"He persuaded Judi Dench and Ian McKellen to join him and Pru in a scratch performance of The Importance of Being Earnest and has, since then over the last 17 years, joined us again to appear in fundraising galas to support the theatre’s ongoing fundraising needs.

Timothy West was a regular at the Theatre Royal in Bury St EdmundsTimothy West was a regular at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds (Image: Theatre Royal)

"Tim has been the most wonderful patron. We most recently saw Tim when we celebrated our 200th birthday, when he came with Prunella, and his son Sam, to appear on stage for an evening ‘in conversation’ – a brilliant and warm evening of fun, laughter and conversation on our stage.  

"He hosted fundraising dinners, led tours of the theatre and also lent us his incomparable wisdom and wit, and for that we will be forever grateful.

"We send our warmest and most heartfelt condolences to Prunella, Sam and all of the West family at this very sad time."