Vicar Of Dibley star Gary Waldhorn has died “peacefully” at the age of 78, his family said.
The actor played mean-spirited councillor David Horton in every episode of the much-loved BBC sitcom, alongside Dawn French, from 1994 to 2007.
He most recently appeared in a Christmas special, The Vicar Of Dibley In Lockdown, alongside comedienne French, who plays Rev Geraldine Granger, and James Fleet, who plays his on-screen son Hugo.
Waldhorn’s son Josh said he “peacefully passed away” at 6.45am on Monday.
In a statement, he 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.”
Waldhorn appeared in classic British TV shows such as The Sweeney, Brush Strokes and Hotel Babylon, and even featured in comedy sketch show French And Saunders.
Read our Gary Waldhorn live blog below for the latest tributes & updates…
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Gary’s appearance in other classic British TV shows
Waldhorn appeared in classic British TV shows such as The Sweeney, Brush Strokes, and Hotel Babylon, and even featured in the comedy sketch show French And Saunders.
He also provided voiceovers for adverts including for Green Flag, Kwik Fit, Branston and Marmite.
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How successful was the Vicar of Dibley and who guested in the show?
Back in 2004 the show was placed third in the list of Britain’s Best Sitcoms.
It featured guest appearances from megastars including Kylie Minogue, Emma Watson, and Johnny Depp.
Over it’s course, the show won three British Comedy Awards, a National Television Awards in 1998 and was nominated for six Baftas.
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Sixth member of the Vicar of Dibley cast to pass away
Gary, who passed away on Monday, becomes the sixth member of the Vicar of Dibley cast to have sadly died in recent years.
Trevor Peacock, who played Jim Trott in the comedy series, died at the age of 89 in March last year.
The actor suffered from dementia in later life.
Roger Lloyd Pack, who also starred in Only Fools and Horses, died at the age of 69 in 2014, while John Bluthal passed away in 2018 when he was 89.
Emma Chambers, who played the role of Alice Tinker, died of natural causes aged 53 in 2018.
Liz Smith died aged 95 in December 2016. She was an instant hit with viewers as Letitia Cropley in the BBC series.
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Dawn French’s tribute
DAWN French has led the heartbreaking tributes to her Vicar of Dibley co-star Gary Waldhorn.
She took to her Twitter yesterday to express how she felt about the passing of co-star Gary.
Dawn, who was cast alongside Gary in the hit BBC sitcom, The Vicar Of Dibley, posted a picture of the tragic star along with a heartbroken emoji.
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‘Gary played David Horton so brilliantly’
The classic comedy channel Gold also paid tribute to him.
They tweeted: “We are saddened by the news that Gary Waldhorn who played David Horton so brilliantly in The Vicar of Dibley has passed away.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
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Fans continue to pay tribute
One fan said: “Sad to note that another of the cast of the popular and influential BBC TV comedy The Vicar of Dibley, Gary Waldhorn, has passed away.”
A second added: “Very sad news indeed. Best known for playing David Horton in The Vicar of Dibley, Gary Waldhorn was one of our finest British actors – excellent in every role he played.
“Can’t think of anyone better to have played the haughty Mr Horton to Dawn French’s vivacious vicar. RIP.”
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Who did Gary play in The Vicar Of Dibley and Brush Strokes?
Gary brought viewers numerous laughs in his role as pompous Councillor David Horton in TV sitcom The Vicar Of Dibley.
He appeared in every episode of the main run of the show from 1994 until 2013.
His character came to love and cherish Rev Geraldine – played by Dawn French – despite being totally against a woman vicar in early episodes of the BBC sitcom.
Gary also played Lionel Bainbridge in the first three series of Brush Strokes before the character was written out.
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Statement from BBC Comedy
BBC Comedy said: “Gary was an incredibly talented actor who is fondly remembered by us for his numerous appearances on some of the nation’s 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.”
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Fan tributes
Fans from all over the world have written heartfelt messages following the passing of Gary Waldhorn.
One person on Twitter wrote: “#RIP Gary Waldhorn. Lionel Bainbridge was a genuinely underrated comedy character.”
Another fan added: “Vicar of Dibley actor Gary Waldhorn dies. Sad news.
“I thought he was brilliantly cast as Cllr David Horton, alongside Trevor Peacock and Roger Lloyd-Pack.”
A third said: “RIP. It’s sad how many cast members from the Vicar of Dibley, have passed away.”
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Inside Gary Waldhorn’s marriage
The Vicar of Dibley actor enjoyed a long marriage to his university sweetheart – Christie Dickason, but was never publicly photographed with her.
The pair met and fell in love while attending Yale University between 1964 and 1967.
They wed shortly after that and in 1970 they welcomed their son Joshua into the world.
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Actor Samuel West pays tribute
The actor Samuel West, who played Waldhorn’s son in Henry IV, tweeted: “Sad news about Gary Waldhorn.
“He played my dad, the eponymous king, in both parts of Henry IV at the Old Vic in 1997 … A lovely man and a terrific actor. RIP.”
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Waldhorn on being an accomplished Shakespearean actor
Waldhorn was also an accomplished Shakespearean actor.
He played the title role in Henry IV at the Old Vic, and once recalled: “I liked acting as a child and I remember as a first-former in London we were given tickets to the Old Vic to see a Shakespeare play.
“I saw Richard Burton play Henry V and my life changed. I came home and said I wanted to be a Shakespearean actor.”
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Tributes from the fans
Fans have written their own tributes and memories of Gary Waldhor with one saying: “He played every role he had brilliantly. RIP Gary.”
Another added: “Very sad news today about your colleague and sparring partner #GaryWaldhorn Your scenes together in #VicarOfDibley were brilliant #RIPGaryWaldhorn.”
A third said: “Absolutely gutted, I’ll never forget what you both did for me during the Dibley years. You pulled me through some very very tough times.”
And a fourth addes: “RIP Gary Waldhorn. Loved him. in Vicar of Dibley but he’ll.always be Lionel from Brush Strokes for me and mine #garywaldhorn.”
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Fans continue to pay tribute
One fan said: “Sad to note that another of the cast of the popular and influential BBC TV comedy The Vicar of Dibley, Gary Waldhorn, has passed away.”
A second added: “Very sad news indeed. Best known for playing David Horton in The Vicar of Dibley, Gary Waldhorn was one of our finest British actors – excellent in every role he played.
“Can’t think of anyone better to have played the haughty Mr Horton to Dawn French’s vivacious vicar. RIP.”
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Fans continue to pay tribute
One fan said: “Sad to note that another of the cast of the popular and influential BBC TV comedy The Vicar of Dibley, Gary Waldhorn, has passed away.”
A second added: “Very sad news indeed. Best known for playing David Horton in The Vicar of Dibley, Gary Waldhorn was one of our finest British actors – excellent in every role he played.
“Can’t think of anyone better to have played the haughty Mr Horton to Dawn French’s vivacious vicar. RIP.”
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‘It was the theatre where he truly flourished’
Waldhorn was an accomplished Shakespearean actor and had performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company including in Much Ado About Nothing.
In a statement, his family 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.”
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What other shows did Gary Waldhorn star in?
Waldhorn appeared in classic British TV shows such as The Sweeney, Brush Strokes and Hotel Babylon.
The actor also featured in comedy sketch show French And Saunders.
On top of this, he also provided voiceovers for adverts including for Green Flag, Kwik Fit, Branston and Marmite.
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Explained: Who was Gary Waldhorn?
Gary Waldhorn was a 78-year-old English actor and comedian.
He was best known chiefly for his performances in British television and theatre.
He studied acting at the Yale School of Drama and graduated in 1967.
This is where he notably performed in new works written by playwright Lillian Hellman in 1966.
While he was attending Yale, he met fellow student Christie Dickason, who later became his wife.
The couple went on to have one son together, Joshua David Waldhorn, born in 1970 in London.
Gary is known for his work in West End theatre productions and for his collaborations with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
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How successful was the Vicar of Dibley and who guested in the show?
Back in 2004 the show was placed third in the list of Britain’s Best Sitcoms.
It featured guest appearances from megastars including Kylie Minogue, Emma Watson, and Johnny Depp.
Over it’s course, the show won three British Comedy Awards, a National Television Awards in 1998 and was nominated for six Baftas.
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Who was Gary’s co-star Emma Chambers?
Gary’s co-star in The Vicar of Dibley, Emma Chambers, also sadly past away aged 53 in 2018.
From 1994 to 2007 Emma played the role of Alice Tinker in the hit BBC comedy – starring opposite Dawn French.
On February 24, 2018, it was announced by Emma’s management service that she had died from natural causes.
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Legendary director Richard Curtis wrote smash hit BBC sitcom
Written by Four Weddings And A Funeral’s Richard Curtis, The Vicar of Dibley starred Dawn French in an unforgettable role as Geraldine Granger.
Granger is a female vicar parachuted into the Oxfordshire village of Dibley when their priest dies.
And the locals are shaken up that she is a woman.
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Gary’s passing ‘very sad news indeed’
One beleaguered fan wrote: “Very sad news indeed. Best known for playing David Horton in The Vicar of Dibley, Gary Waldhorn was one of our finest British actors – excellent in every role he played.
“Can’t think of anyone better to have played the haughty Mr Horton to Dawn French’s vivacious vicar. RIP.”
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Gary Waldhorn’s family ‘will miss him terribly’
In a statement, his family 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.”
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‘You gave light to every scene you were in’
Fans are heartbroken at the news of Gary Waldhorn’s passing.
One said: “Sad to think that only two of the main actors in Vicar of Dibley are still with us now… R.I.P. Gary Waldhorn.”
Another tweeted: “So very sad, actor Gary Waldhorn, has died aged 78. You gave light to every scene you were in. Thanks for the laughs. RIP Sir.”
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‘It was the theatre where he truly flourished’
Waldhorn was an accomplished Shakespearean actor and had performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company including in Much Ado About Nothing.
In a statement, his family 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.”
