Character actor David Ryall was 79

David Ryall, who played the grandfather in Outnumbered, has died at the age of 79.

He played dementia sufferer Frank in two series and two Christmas specials of the BBC One sitcom.

It was the latest in a string of character roles Ryall played in his career, which also inlcuded Eric, the patriotic father of Dervla Kirwan’s Phoebe in the Nicholas Lyndhurst time-travelling comedy Goodnight Sweetheart.

He also played a patient in The Singing Detective, the narrator of the BBC series The Village, and Elphias Doge in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.

And more recently he appeared in the Sky 1 comedy Trollied as Vic.

Sherlock writer and former League Of Gentleman performer Mark Gatiss tweeted: 'The great David Ryall left us on Christmas Day. A twinkling, brilliant, wonderful actor I was privileged to call a friend. RIP.'

And comedy historian Robert Ross added: 'Very sad to hear David Ryall died on Christmas Day. An actor of intensity & charm - be he powerhouse or prop.'

Ryall's daughter Charlie said on Twitter: 'Thank you to @Markgatiss and everyone who has sent kind words of love & encouragement about my Dad, the brilliant David Ryall.'

Published: 27 Dec 2014