NICKY HENSON – star of BBC soap EastEnders and Fawlty Towers – has died at the age of 74, it has been confirmed. He will forever be remembered for playing Mr Johnson in The Psychiatrist episode of the sitcom.
Pal Ian Oglivy posted on Facebook: “After an illness which started 20 years ago, and which was born with great fortitude and good humour, my oldest and dearest friend, my mate Nicky Henson, has gone.”
Nicky played Mr Johnson in The Psychiatrist instalment of Fawlty Towers, back in 1979 alongside the likes of John Cleese.
He previously quipped his tombstone was likely to read: “Here lies Nicky Henson – he was in one episode of Fawlty Towers.”
He went on to portray Honey Edwards’ (played by Emma Barton) dad Jack in EastEnders in 2006, but left due to ill health.
READ MORE: EastEnders star Nicky Henson has battled cancer for 18 years
The long-running BBC drama wasn’t the only one he popped up in, after also stepping out not he cobbles in Coronation Street a decade earlier.
Nicky played French count Henri de Vence for the show’s 35th anniversary, and soon set his sights on Mavis Wilton (Thelma Barlow).
According to IMDB, he appeared in a very long list of shows, with his first credited role being in 1964’s Father Came Too!.
The likes of The First Report, Shirley’s World and Prometheus: The Life of Balzac followed.
They went their separate ways after he began an affair with the actress Susan Hampshire, after appearing in several stage shows with her.
Nicky went on to marry ballerina Marguerite Porter 11 years later, and they also welcomed a son.
He struggled with his health over 20 years, after being diagnosed with cancer on Christmas Day 18 years ago.
Speaking last year, Nicky stated: “For the last 18 years, I’ve regarded myself as ‘being in extra time’, which I never expected to have, so I’m very thankful for it.
“To get rid of the first tumour, I had to have half my colon and a third of my stomach removed. I was fine, but a routine scan a few years later revealed I had another tumour.”
Ten years later, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and endured 21 medical procedures over the course of a year.
Tributes have already flooded into Twitter, with actor Stuart Anthony Antony writing: “RIP the wonderful Nicky Henson – The man with million stories all of them funny. A true gent x.”
Producer Jonathan Sothcott tweeted: “A cornerstone of British films & TV for half a century. It was a privilege to work with him on the 2 @WSKTOW films & call him my mate. Had the best time with him in Marbella #NickyHenson.”