Tributes are being paid to Neighbours actor Peter Hardy who has died at the age of 66.
He died on a beach in Australia on Thursday, with the exact details currently unknown.
The actor was reportedly snorkelling at South Beach in Fremantle, near Perth, when he ran into trouble.
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It's understood bystanders at the beach desperately tried to save his life by performing CPR until paramedics arrived to the scene.
However, emergency crews were unable to save the actor's life and he died at the scene, Mirror UK reports.
Peter appeared as Jimmy Drane in three episodes of Neighbours in 1997 but he was best known in Australia for his roles in McLeod's Daughters and Chopper.
His brother Michael confirmed his death on Friday in a social media post that reads: "I'm devastated to say that my brother, Peter Hardy, passed away suddenly this morning.
"Rest in Peace my beloved little brother."
Tributes are being paid on social media, with Peter's death being described as a "heartbreaking shock".
A friend, Ross Anderson, posted: "This news is such a heartbreaking shock. He'll be held in the wide arms of the ocean he grow up beside, and in the hearts of all those he welcomed into his vital and witty orbit. Sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues."
Another friend, Andy Burns, said: "On the morning of March 16th a dear friend was taken from us... the amazing and beautiful Peter Hardy drowned while snorkelling at South Beach Perth.
"He was 66 years old and looked like a Greek god, so fit, and so happy to be back in his native WA visiting from London where he had made his home.
"Words cannot express how deeply I feel this loss, We've been close friends since living together in Neutral Bay Sydney in the mid 80s.
"He was a superb actor a wonderful singer and guitarist he also played drums and sax. He always loved performing in the theatre as well as film and TV. He decided to buy a canal boat in London which he set up beautifully with some recording gear and he'd send me guitar tracks recorded there to add backings to.
"Heartfelt condolences to all his family and many friends over this devastating loss especially his beautiful girlfriend Lysa our thoughts are with you...
"Vale dear friend Peter Hardy RIP."
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