Dennis Waterman passed away Sunday May 8 his family announced yesterday.

The Minder and New Tricks star died peacefully at his wife's side in Spain, aged 74.

Waterman grew up in Battersea and returned in the 60s to film the controversial and mould breaking TV drama 'Up the Junction".

It was watched by nearly 10 million on first transmission and a received a record 400 viewer complaints for its bad language and depiction of sexual promiscuity,

During his career Waterman achieved lead parts in three separate long-running prime-time features that rank among TV's best-loved series.

He was DS George Carter in The Sweeney (ITV 1974-78), Terry McCann in Minder (ITV 1979-1989) and as Gerry Standing in New Tricks (BBC One 2003-15).

Waterman was an actor for most of his life and made his film debut at aged 11 in the 1960s British movie Night Train to Inverness.

The actor also had a talent for singing and dancing, appearing in West End musicals, including My Fair Lady and Windy City.

The actor became well known fo singing the theme songs to many of his shows and was caricatured by David Walliams in Little Britain.

Matt Lucas, actor and comedian paid tribute and tweeted: "I grew up watching Dennis Waterman's iconic performances in The Sweeney and Minder.

"His guest appearance in our Little Britain Live show at Hammersmith Apollo - in which he hilariously duetted with David's absurd impersonation of him - remains the absolute highlight of my career."

A statement from the actor's family said: "We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis passed away very peacefully in hospital in Spain.

"The family kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time."