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Avengers actor Gareth Hunt dies | Avengers actor Gareth Hunt dies |
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Actor Gareth Hunt, star of The New Avengers, has died of pancreatic cancer aged 65, his agent has announced. | Actor Gareth Hunt, star of The New Avengers, has died of pancreatic cancer aged 65, his agent has announced. |
Hunt played the role of Mike Gambit in the TV series, alongside Joanna Lumley's Purdey and Patrick McNee as John Steed. | Hunt played the role of Mike Gambit in the TV series, alongside Joanna Lumley's Purdey and Patrick McNee as John Steed. |
In later years he became well known as the face of Nescafe with a trademark handshake to reveal coffee beans. | In later years he became well known as the face of Nescafe with a trademark handshake to reveal coffee beans. |
He also had a roles in Doctor Who, Upstairs Downstairs and briefly appeared in EastEnders in 2001. | He also had a roles in Doctor Who, Upstairs Downstairs and briefly appeared in EastEnders in 2001. |
A statement from his agent said he died at his home in Redhill, Surrey, adding: "He fought the disease with great courage and through his strength of character and his wonderful sense of humour he continued to work right up until the end of 2006." | |
Hunt played a crime boss in EastEndersHunt is survived by his wife, Amanda, and three sons. | Hunt played a crime boss in EastEndersHunt is survived by his wife, Amanda, and three sons. |
After small roles with the RSC he landed a part in the popular drama Upstairs Downstairs. | |
He played Frederick Norton, a soldier who finds employment as a footman. | |
But he entered the limelight proper in The New Avengers, which ran for two seasons in 1976-77 with Patrick McNee returning from the original series. | |
Hunt's character Gambit was an expert marksman and athlete and his verbal sparring with Purdey became a running theme. | |
He appeared in EastEnders as crime boss Ritchie Stringer and was one of the suspects in the shooting of Phil Mitchell. | He appeared in EastEnders as crime boss Ritchie Stringer and was one of the suspects in the shooting of Phil Mitchell. |