Sherlock Holmes actor Douglas Wilmer dies aged 96

Sherlock Holmes actor Douglas Wilmer has died at the age of 96.

The actor, who donned the famous deerstalker and picked up the clay pipe in the 1960s, died in hospital in Ipswich on Thursday after suffering from pneumonia.

His death was confirmed by the Sherlock Holmes Society of London.

Spokesman Roger Johnson said: “He was a great actor, he was a gentleman, he had had a long and distinguished career.”

Aside from his starring role as the fictional detective, Mr Wilmer was best known as a supporting actor.

Writer and actor Mark Gatiss, who portrays Sherlock’s older brother Mycroft in the BBC series, paid tribute by sharing a photograph of himself with Mr Wilmer on Twitter.

He wrote: “An honour to have known dear Douglas Wilmer. A Sherlock for all seasons.The work was something, the man was all. RIP"

Mr Wilmer first appeared as Sherlock Holmes in 1964, with Nigel Stock as his Watson.

He was replaced in the lead by Peter Cushing but retained affection for Sherlock throughout his career.

He also had parts in Jason And The Argonauts, Patton, and The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad, during his career across film and television.