Bill Treacher: EastEnders star dies aged 92

Actor Bill Treacher, who played Arthur Fowler successful EastEnders, has died aged 92, his household has confirmed.

Treacher was 1 of the archetypal actors to beryllium formed successful the BBC One soap, appearing successful the archetypal occurrence successful February 1985.

In a statement, his household confirmed the actor's wellness "had been declining for immoderate time".

"Bill was a superb histrion and a fantastic hubby and father, positive a precise good quality being. He volition beryllium hugely missed," they said.

The histrion died connected Saturday, his household said, adding helium "was overmuch loved by his wife, Kate, his son, Jamie and his daughter, Sophie".

Treacher appeared successful EastEnders from 1985 until 1996.

An EastEnders spokesperson said: "It is with large sadness that we learnt of the passing of Bill Treacher. As 1 of our archetypal formed members, Bill created a overmuch loved quality successful Arthur Fowler and, alongside Wendy Richard, they created an iconic household successful the Fowlers who inactive stay astatine the bosom of the show.

"Bill near EastEnders successful 1996 truthful it is simply a existent testament to some he, and the quality that helium created successful Arthur, that helium is inactive thought of truthful fondly. Bill volition ever beryllium remembered for his charm, consciousness of humour - with a grin that lit up the country - and much importantly arsenic a household antheral who was devoted to his woman and children.

"Bill volition everlastingly beryllium held successful large affection by everyone astatine EastEnders and each those that loved watching him."

His co-stars Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy Beale, and Letitia Dean, who plays Sharon Watts, were among those paying tribute.

Taylforth said she had "so galore blessed memories of Bill", adding: "He ever had a sparkle successful his eyes, usually earlier helium mischievously acceptable america disconnected laughing during scenes."

Dean added: "Bill truly was the beingness and psyche of the set. As an actor, helium was meticulous and helium went to large lengths to represent Arthur, from the smallest scenes to the heartbreaking stories. Bill was an utter professional, a fantastic man.

Former EastEnders star, Adam Woodyatt, said: "So galore memories of moving with Bill, astir of them involving him making america corpse. He would get this twinkle successful his eye, you'd commencement laughing and helium ne'er got the blame. I utilized to emotion it erstwhile helium was trying to retrieve his lines successful rehearsal and helium would conscionable blunder and bluster until the close connection came out."

Treacher was joined to Australian histrion Katherine Kessey, with whom helium shared 2 children, and they were longstanding residents of Suffolk.

In 2015, helium said helium was suffering from ataxia, a upset that tin impact co-ordination, equilibrium and speech.

Treacher appeared successful EastEnders until 1996, erstwhile his troubled quality was fixed a situation condemnation for a transgression helium did not commit.

After receiving a stroke to his caput during a convulsive fracas, Fowler was released but aboriginal suffered a encephalon haemorrhage astatine his beloved allotment.

He died successful hospital, leaving the Fowler household heartbroken.

After his quality was killed off, Treacher appeared successful The Bill and Casualty, arsenic good arsenic films specified arsenic The Musketeer, Tale Of The Mummy, and George And The Dragon.