Simon Ward

 The British screen and stage actor Simon Ward has died after a long illness, his agent has confirmed.Ward appeared in several films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including The Three Musketeers.He also starred as Bishop Gardiner in The Tudors and as Sir Monty in the popular BBC television series Judge John Deed.A statement released by his agent said he passed away peacefully with his wife Alexandra and daughters at his bedside.The son of a car salesman from Beckenham in Kent, Ward joined the National Youth Theatre at the age of 13 where he remained for eight years.After attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he worked in repertory in Northampton, Birmingham and Oxford, and occasionally in London’s West End.Early careerHis break into the theatre came in 1967 when he played the lead in Joe Orton’s play, Loot, which lead to television and film roles.In 1972, he gained national acclaim for his portrayal of Churchill in Richard Attenborough’s epic film Young Winston, which featured a distinguished cast including Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft.The following year, he played the Duke of Buckngham in The Three Musketeers.In 1974, Ward was cast as the author and veterinarian, James Herriot, in the original film adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small.All Creatures Great and Small later became a successful BBC television series with actor Christopher Timothy taking the lead role played by Ward in the film adaptation.In more recent years Ward returned to theatre, touring the country with plays such as Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III and Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband.In the late 1980s Ward was a victim of a street attack that was never solved and baffled the police.Ward’s daughter is the actress, Sophie Ward; his youngest daughter, Kitty, is married to the comedian, Michael McIntyre.What are your memories of Simon Ward? Did you meet him or work with him? What were his best film roles? Send us your comments using the form below.