'Blakey' From TV Sitcom On The Buses Dies

Actor Stephen Lewis, who played "Blakey" in the hit TV sitcom On the Buses, has died aged 88.

The star died peacefully in the Cambridge Nursing Home, in Wanstead, east London, and was "in high spirits" right until the end, said his niece Rebecca Lewis.

"He was always singing and joking. We just want people to remember him," she said, adding he had been in the care home for about three years.

Lewis was best-known for his role as Inspector Cyril Blake in On the Buses, which ran for seven series from 1969 to 1973 on ITV.

There were also three spin-off films - On the Buses (1971), Mutiny on the Buses (1972) and Holiday on the Buses (1973).

His character had a distinctive toothbrush moustache and used the catchphrase "I 'ate you Butler".

Blakey was the bane of bus driver Stan Butler's life, checking up on him and conductor Jack Harper and often threatening them with being fired for lateness.

Lewis, who was born in Poplar, east London, also starred in Last Of The Summer Wine, where he played "Smiler" Hemingway.

Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp wrote on Twitter: "RIP Stephen Lewis ... So pleased we worked together on The Krays. My thoughts are with your family and friends!"

Gary Kemp tweeted that Lewis was "a big part of my childhood and a gentleman to work with".

The actor's nephew, Peter Lewis, said: "He had terrible arthritis in one knee which really badly affected him, and many years ago he had prostate cancer - and whether that had come back we don't know."

Mr Lewis added: "I'll remember him as being a funny man."

He said his uncle's health had gradually declined over the past few years, but revealed he died "quite peacefully".

Mr Lewis said his 84-year-old mother Connie - Stephen's sister - was in the same care home.

"They looked after each other," he said.