Tony Caunter dead: EastEnders icon who played Roy Evans in BBC soap dies aged 88

Actor Tony Caunter, famed for his role as Roy Evans in EastEnders, has died at the age of 88, his family have confirmed.

Caunter portrayed the character between 1994 and 2003, with the car dealer brought in as a romantic interest for Pat Butcher, played by Pam St Clement, before the pair tied the knot in the soap.

His family said in a statement to the PA news agency: “It is with enormous sadness that we bring the curtain down on our wonderful and hugely loved father, Tony Caunter, who died peacefully yesterday evening, just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years, Fran, also passed away. Dad was 88 years old.

“After a long and fulfilling life on and off screen and stage, Tony leaves a daughter and three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all.”

The family continued: “We would like to thank the NHS staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital for their incredible care during his final hours, and to everyone at Eastbourne Gardens nursing home for the care and compassion they have given dad over the past two months.”

They concluded their statement requesting privacy “at this extremely difficult time”. An EastEnders statement read: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Tony Caunter.

“Tony will forever be loved and respected by everyone at EastEnders for his warmth, kindness and humour as well as being greatly remembered by all those at home who instantly took Roy to their hearts.

“Roy will always be remembered for his great love of Pat, despite him famously declaring his distaste in her choice of earrings, which gave us all one of Walford’s greatest love affairs.

“Tony will never be forgotten by all those who worked alongside him for many years and everyone at EastEnders sends their love and condolences to Tony’s family and friends.”

During Caunter’s time playing Roy, one of the headline-making EastEnders storylines involved Pat’s affair with her ex, Frank Butcher, played by Mike Reid.

Caunter’s other acting roles included Pennies From Heaven, Tumbledown, and TV series Juliet Bravo. He also appeared in the TV drama series Boon, which starred EastEnders’ Michael Elphick.

“I’ve been watching 1998-2000 recently and Roy was one of the best characters. Always down on his luck but such a brilliant character! Sad to hear Tony Caunter has passed away,” one mourning fan wrote on Twitter (X) this evening as news of Caunter’s death broke.

“Very sad news. Roy was always a favourite of mine, and Tony an excellent actor,” another added, with a third penning: “Sad news rip tony.. Roy didn’t half put up with a lot of rubbish with his son Barry causing him trouble and Pat cheating with Frank. He was in a great era of the show.”

The late EastEnders actor was married to Frances Wallace for 63 years prior to her death earlier this month. They shared four children together.

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Source: Mirror