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11th Jan 2022

Vicar of Dibley star Gary Waldhorn dies aged 78

Charlie Herbert

The actor was a mainstay on the hit BBC sitcom

Actor Gary Waldhorn, who played Councillor David Horton in BBC sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, has died at 78.

Waldhorn starred as the chairman of the parish council in the hugely popular sitcom and was one of the everpresents of the show, which ran from 1994 to 1 January 2000, and then intermittently from 25 December 2004 to 23 December 2020.

He most recently appeared as the character in the Christmas special The Vicar Of Dibley In Lockdown, alongside star Dawn French, who plays Rev Geraldine Granger, and James Fleet, who plays his on-screen son Hugo.

His other TV shows included 1980s and 90s favourites such as Brush Strokes, Lovejoy and Gallowglass.

He passed away on Monday (January 10).

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As well as his work on television, Waldhorn enjoyed a successful career in theatre, working with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In a statement, his son Josh said: “Classically trained, it was the theatre where he truly flourished and he leaves a legacy of entertainment that saw him frequent the boards of Broadway, the West End and our living rooms on the telly!

“He leaves behind his two grandsons, Cooper and Bayley and his son Josh. We will all miss him terribly.”

A statement from BBC Comedy added: “Gary was an incredibly talented actor who is fondly remembered by us for his numerous appearances on some of the nations most treasured BBC shows, and of course as Councillor David Horton in The Vicar of Dibley.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.