Baywatch star Michael Newman has died aged 68

He endured a long battle with illness

The actor was best known for his role as a lifeguard on the original cult TV series Baywatch which starred the likes of Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff.

Newman appeared on 150 episodes of the show, which was the most of anyone bar main man David Hasselhoff.

He was also a fulltime firefighter while also starring on the show, making him a lifesaver on and off the screen.

Newman died from complications relating to Parkinson's disease after being diagnosed in 2006 at the age of 50.

In August the actor said: "This terminal disease has allowed me a lot of thinking time, which I maybe didn't want, but it's brought me wisdom.

"My body has changed so slowly that I hardly notice it, yet I am constantly reminded that Parkinson's has now become the centre of my life.

"I am cherishing the days that I get to be on this earth with family and friends. I'm taking life seriously."

He said the words he lives by are "It's not a run-through."