Yes Minister star dies aged 94

Entertainment

Actor John Nettleton, who starred in Yes Minster, has died aged 94, his representatives have confirmed.

He was best known for portraying Sir Arnold Robinson in the political satire sitcom and in its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, in the 1980s.

His agent, Scott Marshall Partners, said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client and much-loved stage and screen actor John Nettleton at the age of 94.

“He is survived by his wife Deirdre, three children and five grandchildren.”

A jobbing actor, he also found success in another political role, playing Conservative MP Sir Stephen Baxter in the British sitcom The New Statesman, opposite comedian Rik Mayall.

With numerous television credits in a career spanning seven decades, he also had repeat appearances in police procedural Z Cars, the Brideshead Revisited miniseries, spoof soap opera Brass, court room drama Rumpole Of The Bailey and long-running sci fi Doctor Who.

His one-off appearances across numerous popular TV shows included detective dramas Midsomer Murders and Foyle’s War, The Bill, and long-running medical series Casualty.