Madoc, one of TV’s best-loved villains, dies aged 77

WELSH actor Philip Madoc has died at the age of 77, his agent said.

Madoc, who played the title role in BBC drama The Life And Times of David Lloyd George, also appeared in shows including Doctor Who and The Last Of The Mohicans.

His agent, Michael Hallet, said: “He passed away in hospital in Hertfordshire this morning after a short illness with his family around him. He will be hugely missed by everybody.”

Madoc appeared in one of television’s most memorable sit-com scenes, as a captured U-boat captain in the episode of Dad’s Army in which he demands the names of his captors, prompting a furious Captain Mainwaring to shout the famous line: “Don’t tell him, Pike”.

The Merthyr Tydfil-born actor gained a reputation for playing villains, but insisted he did not mind.

He said in one interview: “If you had a voice that wasn’t high and dark eyes, then there was a feeling that you were set out to play the villains of this world. I didn’t ever argue with that, because they were more or less the best parts.”

Madoc, who was divorced from actress Ruth Madoc, leaves two children and several grandchildren.