Z-Cars actor Edmond dies, aged 69

Terence Edmond was born in Bristol in November 1939

Terence Edmond, one of the stars of classic 1960s police drama Z-Cars, has died at the age of 69.

Edmond played PC Ian Sweet in more than 75 episodes. His final appearance saw him drown in a heroic but misguided attempt to save a young boy.

Mr Edmond suffered from bronchiectasis, a lung condition, since childhood and died in hospital last Saturday.

One of his erstwhile Z-Cars co-stars, actor James Ellis, said he was "sweet by name and sweet by nature."

"He was a particular favourite of ladies old and young, who were devastated when the character was drowned on duty," said Mr Ellis, who played Bert Lynch in the show.

'Very clever'

"Nothing quite like this had happened before. The nation watched the live episode and was simultaneously shocked."

After Z-Cars, Edmond appeared in a number of minor TV roles and took up writing and directing stage plays.

His final screen appearance came in a 1994 episode of another police drama, The Bill.

Edmond married in 1963 but divorced six years later and had no children.

His death was announced by his former agent Roberta Kanal, who described him as "a very clever man."