Z-Cars star Jimmy Ellis dead at 82

The Belfast-born actor, who was best known for his roles in Z-Cars, died from a stroke in Lincoln Hospital at the age of 82.

15:13 10 March 2014

Jimmy Ellis, the Belfast-born actor who appeared in Z-Cars and in BBC Northern Ireland’s series of “Billy” has died from a stroke in Lincoln Hospital early on Saturday at the age of 82.

Before moving to England in 1960’s, he started his acting career at Belfast’s Group Theatre in 1952. He was given his first big break after he was cast as Bert Lynch in police drama Z-Cars, which ran from 1963 to 1978.

His son, Toto, shared how it was heartbreaking to see his father dying.

"It was sad to watch him slip away. The last words he heard were that he was a hero, a legend and we all loved him.”

Talking about funeral arrangements, he added: "We are taking him home to Belfast - Belfast meant the world to him.

"He blazed a trail for Northern Ireland actors, in that he was the first character not to change his accent. Dad was so proud of his roots and his beliefs."

Sir Kenneth Branagh was one of the first people to pay tribute to him. He said: "I was blessed to begin my career working with him, and I will never forget his generosity to me. He was a highly intelligent, funny, and kind man, and a tremendous actor."