Much-loved character actor who specialised in playing slightly sleazy/slightly eccentric and often flawed upper middle class English gentlemen. His career spanned nearly 40 years, becoming a well-known face both in Britain and in the States.
Served in the RAF during WWII. His plane was shot down over Germany in 1942 and he spent the rest of the War in Stalag 8B POW camp in Silesia. Father of Jennifer Elliott Lost the top of his right thumb in a childhood accident. Appointed CBE in the 1988 New Year's Honours List. Performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company. A bisexual, he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988.