Theatre critic Sheridan Morley has died aged 65.

Theatre critic Sheridan Morley has died aged 65.

Morley was also an author, journalist, director, actor and broadcaster.

He was the eldest son of actor Robert Morley and grandson of actress Gladys Cooper, and wrote biographies of both.

He died suddenly on the morning of 16 February 2007.

He is survived by his second wife (critic and television producer Ruth Leon), and a son and two daughters from his first marriage.

After a spell at ITV news in the 1960s he moved into the arts, presenting BBC Radio 4's Kaleidoscope, Radio 2's Arts Programme and later, Melodies for You. He presented Late Night Line-Up on BBC 2 from 1967 to 1975 and also during that time presented Film Night every week alongside several other BBC2 arts specials. He joined The Times as assistant editor before becoming drama critic and arts editor of Punch in 1975, In recent years he worked as drama critic for several newspapers including The Spectator, Daily Express and International Herald Tribune.

His many books included A Talent To Amuse - The Life of Noel Coward, The Stephen Sondheim Songbook, The Noel Coward Diaries, Tales from The Hollywood Raj, The Theatregoers Quiz Book and The Great Stage Stars. Plus biographies of Dirk Bogarde, Gene Kelly, Sir John Gielgud and his own memoirs Asking For Trouble. He also wrote some musicals including Noel and Gertie and Spread A Little Happiness.

A few years ago he appeared in the BBC series Judge John Deed.