Wycliffe star Jack Shepherd dies aged 85

Wycliffe star Jack Shepherd has died at the age of 85.

The English actor died following a “short illness”, his family said in a statement shared with the PA news agency.

The Leeds-born TV star was best known for starring as Cornish detective Charles Wycliffe in the ITV series based on the WJ Burley novels.

The drama aired between 1993 and 1998 and starred Shepherd in the lead role as Wycliffe, who investigated murders in Cornwall alongside his colleagues DI Doug Kersey, played by Scottish actor Jimmy Yuill, and Helen Masters’ DI Lucy Lane.

A statement from agents Markham, Froggatt & Irwin said: “It is with great sadness we can confirm that the celebrated actor Jack Shepherd passed away yesterday at the age of 85. He died peacefully in hospital after a short illness. His wife and family were with him.”

They added: “Markham, Froggatt & Irwin are very proud and honoured to have been part of Jack’s illustrious career. His passing is a sad loss to us all. Jack is survived by his wife Ann Scott and children Jan, Jake, Victoria, Catherine and Ben.”

After attending school in Leeds, he won a scholarship to Newcastle University to study fine art, later moving to London to study at The Central School for Speech and Drama.

In his 20s he became the leading light of London’s Royal Court theatre, with his TV break in the Seventies as rebellious Labour MP Bill Brand in the hit series titled Bill Brand.

The Trevor Griffiths series also earned him a Bafta nomination in the best actor category in 1977.

Alongside TV, Shepherd also acted on stage at the National Theatre.

He directed The Two Gentlemen Of Verona in 1996 at Shakespeare’s Globe and the show also went to Broadway.

Shepherd won multiple awards, including an Olivier award for the original production of Glengarry Glen Ross in 1983.

He also worked with director Bill Bryden on numerous theatre productions and was a playwright in his own right, as well as a saxophonist and jazz pianist.