Michael Angelis, who was best known for narrating Thomas The Tank Engine series Thomas And Friends, has died at the age of 68, his agent said.

He died suddenly while at home with his wife on Saturday.

The actor voiced the children’s TV programme for 13 series, making him the longest-serving narrator, after taking over from Beatles member Ringo Starr in 1991.

Angelis also starred as Arnie in September Song, Lucien Boswell in The Liver Birds, Mickey Startup in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Chrissie Todd in Boys From The Blackstuff and Martin Niarchos in GBH.

He also appeared in Holby City, Casualty, The Bill and Heartbeat.

Comedian Matt Lucas said Angelis was “one of the greatest TV actors” he had ever seen, adding: “What a loss.”

Game Of Thrones actor John Bradley wrote on Twitter: “To be in both ‘Boys From The Blackstuff’ and ‘GBH’ is really leaving your mark on telly. He was superb in both.”

The Thick Of It writer Simon Blackwell said he was sad to hear the news.

“[He was] exquisite and moving in Boys From The Blackstuff, enormously funny as Lucien in The Liver Birds,” he said.

Angelis’s first TV appearances were in the 1970s in programmes including Z Cars, Thirty-Minute Theatre and an episode of Coronation Street.

He later had roles in Minder, World’s End and A Touch Of Frost.

Angelis was previously married to Coronation Street star Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, before later marrying Jennifer Khalastchi.