Dennis Waterman spent his time after hit drama series New Tricks came to a conclusion “doing f***-all” in Spain, as he said he was not actively looking for new projects.
The 74-year-old actor tragically died today, his family confirmed in a statement.
The actor, who was best known for his roles in television shows Minder, The Sweeney and New Tricks, died on Sunday afternoon with wife Pam at his side.
A statement said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis passed away very peacefully in hospital in Spain.”
“The family kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”
Dennis told the Mirror after the series wrapped that he had downsized homes and was enjoying semi-retirement in the sun.
He said: “I’m not rushing about looking for work really – I’ll see how far the money goes.
"I’ve found out a remarkable thing about myself is that I’m really, really good at doing f***-all.
“I’ve always sneered at people who have gone in to early retirement and thought what are you going to do, but I’ve taken to it like a duck to water.”
While he insisted he had not retired completely, he added: “We’re spending a lot of time in Spain so we’re lolling in the sun, having a splash when it gets too hot and then going and having a game of golf.
"And there is drink involved. It’s murder. I am really good at it. We’ve downsized from our four up four down to two up two down too.”
New Tricks, following the fictional Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad of the Metropolitan Police, was a huge hit since it began on BBC1 in 2003, with audiences of up to 9.9million.
Waterman starred as DS Gerry Standing, with Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam in the original cast.
Asked if he was disappointed the show was over, Waterman joked at the time: “No, I’m not in it, I don’t care.
"It hadn’t been axed when I did my last episodes... maybe it was me!”
Dennis Waterman’s final appearance on screen was in the Australian comedy film Never Too Late, which premiered in 2020.
In the Mark Lamprell directed film Never Too Late, he starred alongside James Cromwell, Shane Jacobson, and Jacki Weaver.
The film saw four former prisoners of war who famously broke out of their prisoner of war camp during the Vietnam War reunite in their twilight years for another daring mission: to escape a nursing home.
Dennis Waterman played Jeremiah, who has only a couple of months to live and longs to take his sailboat for one last voyage.
