Star of Theatre and Film Sir Donald Sinden dies aged 90

Lovely star of Theatre and Film Sir Donald Sinden had been seriously ill with cancerhas died after years battling cancer. Sinden made his name in theatre as a Shakespearean actor and also had more than 70 credits for film and TV productions since the late 1940s. He had developed prostate cancer several years ago and his death, a few weeks before his 91st birthday, at his home in Romney Marsh, Kent, has been described as a “huge loss” by his family.

His son, actor and film director Marc Sinden, said in a statement: 'My father has finished dying. He suffered for a few years from prostate cancer which slowly spread. 'Even though his death was expected, it is still a huge loss to his family and we, his brother, his son, his four grandchildren and great-grandchild will all miss his humour and knowledge and we would all like to share our appreciation for the Pilgrims Hospice and the carers that looked after him and us with such dignity, consideration and care until the end.'

Sir Donald trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and made his film debut in 1953 with The Cruel Sea, later going on to perform with the Royal Shakespeare Company in leading roles such as King Lear and Malvolio in Twelfth Night.