Warren Mitchell, best known for playing Alf Garnett, dies at the age of 89

Till Death Us Do Part: Warren Mitchell playing his iconic character Alf Garnett
Leonard Burt/Central Press/Getty Images
Hannah Al-Othman14 November 2015

Actor Warren Mitchell, best known for starring as Alf Garnett, has died at the age of 89.

A statement from the Till Death Us Do Part star's family said: "Sadly we can confirm Warren Mitchell died in the early hours of Saturday, November 14 surrounded by his family.

"He has been in poor health for some time, but was cracking jokes to the last."

Thousands of people have paid tribute to the small screen legend after news of his passing spread.

Family member Jerry Barnett tweeted: "Just got the news my great uncle Warren Mitchell (aka Alf Garnett) died last night. The last of his generation, wonderful and funny man RIP."

Comedian Ricky Gervais posted on Twitter: "Alf Garnett was one of the most influential and important characters and performances in comedy history. RIP Warren Mitchell."

And Theatre director Rupert Goold wrote: "RIP Warren Mitchell. A deeply soulful and erudite man who genuinely loved the theatre."

Born Warren Misell in Stoke Newington in north London, he served in the Royal Air Force and then went on to read physics as University College, Oxford.

He never finished the course and instead took up acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1951.

His role as Alf Garnett was his big break, and the controversial mean-spirited bigoted character came to be much-loved by the British public.

Off-screen, Mitchell was an ardent Tottenham Hotspur supporter, although his character Garnett was a West Ham United fan.

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