Well known The Bill and Inspector Morse actor dies after surgery

Veteran actor Tony Mathews has died at the age of 81. According to reports, the television star died after undergoing surgery.

The actor had a number of well known roles, including in Inspector Morse, The Bill and Poirot. He also acted in the likes of Hale and Pace, One Foot In The Grave, Small World and First Among Equals.

Tony became an actor after studying in Canterbury, Kent. His acting career spanned across two decades, starting in the late 1970s.

His debut role was in The Duellists in 1977 as Gen Treillard's Aide-de-Camp. His final role, in 1997, was as Sheridan in an episode of Pilgrims Rest.

He appeared in two episodes of The Bill in 1990 and 1993, playing two different characters. He landed the role of Gerald Lowen in Poirot in 1990.

Tony's role in the iconic show came towards the start of its run. It first started airing in October 1984, enjoying a healthy run until August 2010.

In total, Tony had 58 acting credits across 20 years. It appears his biggest role came in This Way Up in 1989, when he appeared in seven episodes.

Outside of that, Tony played Geoffrey Talbot for six episodes in the television mini series Campaign a year earlier in 1988.

Little is known about Tony's family life outside of his acting career. An inquest into his death is now set to take place in Kent, reports The Sun.