ACTOR Roger Leach died on Saturday, December 1, at the age of 53.

Friendly, sociable and popular, Roger was inextricably linked in his working life with Salisbury Playhouse, where he appeared in dozens of plays, ranging from comedies to the classics, in the old building and in the present one.

Although seriously ill with cancer, he gave his last public performance just two weeks before he died.

He was the narrator, reading from the composer's letters in Beethoven by Candle-light, performed by the Sarum Chamber Orchestra, and he was looking forward to rehearsals for his part in Donkeys' Years, the first production at the Playhouse next year.

Roger had worked for every artistic director at the Playhouse since moving to the area in 1974. He lived first in Wilton and then in Salisbury.

He was also known to millions of television viewers for his role as Sgt Penny in The Bill, in which he appeared in 180 episodes.