Nicholas Courtney dies, aged 81

Nicholas Courtney has sadly passed away, aged 81.

The actor was best known for his role as the long running character Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart in Doctor Who.

He first had a one-off appearance in the programme opposite William Hartnell, playing Bret Vyron in the 1965 story 'The Daleks' Masterplan'.

Courtney was later recast as Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart in 1968 story 'The Web of Fear'.

The character, promoted the Brigadier later that year in 'The Invasion', went on to make regular appearances alongside Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker up until 1975.

The actor later returned to the series in 1983 alongside Peter Davison and in 1989 opposite Sylvester McCoy. In 1993, he appeared in the Doctor Who charity special 'Dimensions in Time'.

Nicholas went on to play the character in numerous Big Finish Doctor Who audio dramas, alongside actors such as David Tennant and Paul McGann.

In 2008, Nicholas made his last on screen appearance as the Brigadier in the Doctor Who spin-off series 'The Sarah Jane Adventures'.

His other acting credits include:  Only Fools and Horses, Yes, Prime Minister, All Creatures Great and Small and Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased).

Nicholas Courtney (1929 - 2011)