John Inman, star of TV sitcom Are You Being Served?,died in hospital early this morning.
The actor (71) died in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, at 4.00am after being ill for some time, his manager, Phil Dale, said.
John Inman as Mr Humphries in Are You Being Served?
Inman suffered from hepatitis A and had been taken into hospital for tests after problems with his liver.
It was revealed that he had the disease after it forced him to cancel the opening of a pantomime in London in 2004.
Mr Dale said: "John, through his character Mr Humphries of Are You Being Served?,was known and loved throughout the world.
"He was one of the best and finest pantomime dames working to capacity audiences throughout Britain.
"John was known for his comedy plays and farces which were enjoyed from London's West End throughout the country and as far as Australia, Canada and the USA," Mr Dale said.
Inman is survived by his long-term partner, Ron Lynch. The couple, who had been together for 35 years, "married" in a civil partnership ceremony at London's Westminster Register Office on December 23rd, 2005.