Actor Peter Heppelthwaite dies at 59

Actor Peter Heppelthwaite, best known for his role in the Only Fools and Horses spinoff The Green Green Grass, has died at the age of 59. His passing was confirmed on Sunday, June 14, by his management agency, Apollo Artist Management, following a career spanning television, theatre, and film.

Heppelthwaite appeared as Jed in 30 episodes of the BBC sitcom The Green Green Grass, sharing the screen with actors John Challis and Sue Holderness. His other notable television roles included portraying Linal in the BBC soap EastEnders and appearing in the early 2000s sitcom Coupling. His television debut came in 2point4 Children, and he later featured in series such as One Foot In The Grave and London's Burning, as well as alongside Martin Clunes in the TV movie Sex 'N' Death.

A statement from his management described Heppelthwaite as a "hugely gifted actor, director, teacher and mentor," praising his warmth, generosity, and commitment. His daughter, Georgia Hewer-Heppelthwaite, shared a tribute on Instagram, noting that he passed away peacefully while holding hands with his family. She wrote that he was a man who "never gave up, loved deeply, and was just unafraid of doing absolutely...