Sir Alan Bates, has died of liver cancer at the age of 69.

Sir Alan Bates, has died of liver cancer at the age of 69.

His agent Rosalind Chatto said he passed away in a London clinic Saturday night (27 Dec 03) . His brother and son were at his side. (His wife and second son died several years ago.)

Earlier this year he was made a knight in the New Year Honours list, adding to the CBE he was awarded in 1996, for his services to drama.

Sir Alan Bates was born in Derbyshire in 1934 and won a scholarship to Rada from school. He served in the RAF, and got his first acting job with a Midlands repertory company. Six months later he auditioned for the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre, and after making his debut in "The Mulberry Bush" in 1956, got the part of Cliff Lewis in "Look Back in Anger", which also took him to Broadway. From then on he was in constant demand, appearing in the West End, Stratford-on-Avon, and at the Bristol Old Vic.

He launched his film career in "The Entertainer" in 1960, quickly followed by Whistle Down the Wind and The Caretaker. He went on to appear in many period productions, notably "Far From the Madding Crowd", "The Go-Between" and Ken Russell's "Women in Love".

Sir Alan Bates' London stage credits in recent years include "The Master Builder" at the Aldwych Theatre in 1995; "Life Support" at the Aldwych in 1997; "Antony and Cleopatra" at the Barbican in 2000.

Click here for Obituary by BBC