Timothy West died at the exact time theatre actors usually take their "half-hour call"

The 58-year-old actor - who is currently starring in the RSC production of 'Twelfth Night'- told The Sunday Times: "I thought that was rather beautiful."

The 'EastEnders' and 'Coronation Street' star - who was married to actress Prunella Scales for 61 years - spoke about theatre right to the end.

Sharing their final conversation, Samuel recalled Timothy asking him: "Where are you going to rehearsals?"

He said: "No more visitors backstage. He took a deep breath in the wings and went on."

The 'Day of the Jackal' star's death was confirmed in a statement by his agent and three children, Samuel, Juliet, and Joseph.

It read : "After a long and extraordinary life on and off the stage, our darling father Timothy West died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening. He was 90 years old.

"Tim was with friends and family at the end. He leaves his wife Prunella Scales, to whom he was married for 61 years, a sister, a daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.

"All of us will miss him terribly. We would like to thank the incredible NHS staff at St George's Hospital, Tooting and at Avery Wandsworth for their loving care during his last days."

After starting his career on stage in 1959, Timothy went landed his big break in television with a role in 'Edward the Seventh' in 1975.

He went onto appear in the likes of 'Brass, 'King Lear' and 'Bedtime', and became known for countless roles on stage and screen.

In 2007, he joined 'Not Going Out' as Geoffrey Adams, taking on the role in two further episodes on the sitcom's third series before being replaced by Geoffrey Whitehead.

In 2013, he joined 'Coronation Street' as Eric Babbage, while he joined 'EastEnders' later that same year.

He made his first appearance on Albert Square as Stan Carter in January the following year and filmed his final season in February 2015.

He stayed busy in recent years, playing Jeremy Lister in 'Gentleman Jack' between 2019 and 2022, while he also took on the role of Private Godfrey in 'Dad's Army: The Lost Episodes'.

His final television acting credit came last year as Charles Usher in an episode of 'Sister Boniface Mysteries'.