ACTOR Tony Caunter, who played Roy Evans in EastEnders, has died at the age of 88, his family have announced.

Caunter played the iconic character from 1994 through to 2003, with the car dealer introduced as a love interest for the character of Pat Butcher.

The couple later got hitched as part of the soap storyline.

A statement from Caunter’s family said: “It is with enormous sadness that we bring the curtain down on our wonderful and hugely loved father, Tony Caunter, who died peacefully yesterday evening, just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years, Fran, also passed away.

“Dad was 88 years old. After a long and fulfilling life on and off screen and stage, Tony leaves a daughter and three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

“He will be missed by all.”

The family added: “We would like to thank the NHS staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital for their incredible care during his final hours, and to everyone at Eastbourne Gardens nursing home for the care and compassion they have given dad over the past two months.”

Tony Caunter’s passing comes just eight days after his wife Fran sadly passed away last week.

The couple were married for 63 years and are survived by their four children.

The British actor was known for his roles as Jack Shepherd in the Yorkshire Television sitcom Queenie’s Castle in the early 1970s and as DCI Jim Logan in the first three seasons of Juliet Bravo.

He also appeared in the Doctor Who stories The Crusade in 1965, Colony in Space in 1971 and Enlightenment in 1983.

He also appeared in the TV drama series Boon, which starred EastEnders’ Michael Elphick.

A statement from EastEnders said: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Tony Caunter.

“Tony will forever be loved and respected by everyone at EastEnders for his warmth, kindness and humour as well as being greatly remembered by all those at home who instantly took Roy to their hearts.

“Roy will always be remembered for his great love of Pat, despite him famously declaring his distaste in her choice of earrings, which gave us all one of Walford’s greatest love affairs.

“Tony will never be forgotten by all those who worked alongside him for many years and everyone at EastEnders sends their love and condolences to Tony’s family and friends.”

Fans of the soap have also flocked to social media to pay tributes to the star.

“I’ve been watching 1998-2000 recently and Roy was one of the best characters,” one viewer wrote.

“Always down on his luck but such a brilliant character!

“Sad to hear Tony Caunter has passed away.”

A second weighed in: “”Very sad news. Roy was always a favourite of mine, and Tony an excellent actor,”

A third added: “Sad news RIP Tony.. Roy didn’t half put up with a lot of rubbish with his son Barry causing him trouble and Pat cheating with Frank.

“He was in a great era of the show.”