BAFTA-winning TV star dies aged 97 as Michael Palin leads the tributes

BAFTA-winning TV star Lee Montague has died at the age of 97.

The Bergerac actor had a hugely-successful TV career spanning more than six decades and Michael Palin has led the stars in paying tribute to the acting great.

Montague was best-known for his long-running roles in TV shows including The Sweeney, Bergerac and Seconds Out, while he also appeared in many hit movies.

He was also famed for starring in 1952’s Moulin Rouge, 1978’s Brass Target, 1972’s Brother Sun, Sister Moon and 1967’s How I Won The War, among others.

The news of his passing was announced in an obituary shared by Keats Community Library, for which Lee served as President for Life.

The statement read: ‘We are deeply sad to announce the death of our beloved President for Life, Lee Montague at the age of 97.

‘Lee was a highly respected actor. He trained at the Old Vic School and worked in the early part of his career in the Royal Exchange Manchester, the Old Vic, Bristol Old Vic and Oxford Playhouse.

‘Moving into film he worked with great directors (such as Zeffirelli) appearing in some 30 films including Moulin Rouge in 1952, Bill Budd, Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and Jesus of Nazareth with Robert Powell.’

He was a huge Arsenal fan and a formidable tennis player,’ it went on.

‘But to us, he was the saviour of the library. He saved it once before from closure by Camden, but in 2011 they closed it before announcing it, so it was Lee who formed a committee of neighbours to set up the Keats Community Library charity it is today.

‘He continued to be vital to our success as he wrote many literary and biographical evenings which he performed with his fellow actors, Michael Palin, Robert Powell, Simon Callow and Janet Suzman. These were played to a full house, as is befitting!

‘He will be greatly missed.’

During his six-decade long career, Montague racked up more than 146 acting credits and worked up until his retirement in 2017.