Leonard Maguire dies

Actor Leonard Maguire has died at his home in France, aged 73, after a lengthy illness. A founder member of the Glasgow Citizens' Theatre in 1943, Maguire performed with greats including Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Vivien Leigh and Edith Evans early in his career, and became an eminent figure of the Scottish stage.

He starred in world premieres of plays by Samuel Beckett and Dylan Thomas at the Edinburgh Festival, and was the only performer ever to win the sought-after Fringe First award three years running - for solo shows in 1976, 1977 and 1978.

He won a wide TV audience in the Sixties and Seventies as presenter of arts programmes Perspective and Tempo and as the headmaster in school drama serial This Man Craig. More recently, he appeared on EastEnders, playing Lou Beale's friend Uncle, the pawnbroker. His film work included The Honorary Consul, A Dry White Season and Prospero's Books. He leaves a widow, radio producer Frances Campbell, 80, and three children.