EastEnders actress Pam St Clement has paid tribute to her former on-screen husband Tony Caunter, who died at the age of 88, just eight days after his wife of 63 years, Fran, also passed away.
In a statement to The Sun, Pam said: 'I am very saddened to hear of Tony’s passing. He was not only a lovely man, but a true gentleman to work with.'
Tony’s family confirmed his death in a statement, saying: 'It is with enormous sadness that we bring the curtain down on our wonderful and hugely loved father, Tony Caunter, who died peacefully yesterday evening, just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years, Fran, also passed away.' They added that he leaves behind a daughter, three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The family thanked the NHS staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital and Eastbourne Gardens nursing home for their care.
EastEnders also paid tribute, highlighting his on-screen marriage to Pam St Clement’s character Pat Butcher, and noted that Tony will be remembered for his 'warmth, kindness and humour'.
As well as EastEnders, Tony appeared in The Avengers, Casualty, The Sweeney, Minder, and Queenie’s Castle. He retired from acting after an episode of Doctors in 2008.
