Gareth Hunt, star of The New Avengers, has died of cancer aged 65.

The actor played Mike Gambit in the 1970s series along with Joanna Lumley, who played Purdey.

Gambit was also well known for his role in a series of Nescafe commercials. He has also appeared on Upstairs, Downstairs, EastEnders, New Tricks and Doctors.

He had been fighting against pancreatic cancer for two years, and is survived by his wife Amanda and three sons.

His agent said in a statement: “He fought the disease with great courage and through his strength of character and wonderful sense of humour; he continued to work right up until the end of 2006.”