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

The Bergerac actor had a hugely successful career spanning more than six decades and Michael Palin has led the stars 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 Montague 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.’

‘But to us, he was the saviour of the library,’ it went on. ‘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.’

Monty Python legend Michael Palin, who performed on stage with Montague, reportedly shared a heartfelt statement paying tribute to the highly-respected actor.

‘Very sad to hear that I shall not see Lee again. He was such good company, wise, experienced, empathetic, funny. It was always a pleasure to share a stage with him,’ he told Ham and High.

Stage actor Robert Lindsay added: ‘I’m devastated as I regarded Lee as my theatrical Dad and I have kept in touch with him over many years.’

Montague was born in Bow, East London, in 1927 and trained at the Old Vic Theatre School before making his stage debut in 1950.

During his early career, he worked at the RSC, Bristol Old Vic and Manchester Royal Exchange before launching his screen career with 1952’s Moulin Rouge.

Known for playing hard and menacing characters, Montague went on to star in 1958’s The Camp on Blood Island and action flick The Silent Enemy.

Montague also appeared in the 1990 TV movie Jekyll and Hyde alongside acting great Michael Caine.

He was also the very first storyteller on the BBC children’s show Jackanory, narrating 15 episodes in 1965, for which he won a BAFTA, according to the obituary.

During his six-decade long career, Montague racked up more than 140 acting credits until his retirement, with his final on-screen role coming in 2017’s Gatwick Gangsters.

Montague, an avid Arsenal fan, was married to actress Ruth Goring for 67 years until her death in 2023 and they shared two children together.