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Peter Bowles, the popular British actor known for his TV roles in To the Manor Born, Victoria, and Rumpole of the Bailey, has died at age 85. 
His agent told the BBC in a statement that Bowles had "sadly passed away from cancer," leaving "his wife of over 60 years, Sue, and their three children Guy, Adam, and Sasha."
Bowles' agent added: "Starting his career at the Old Vic Theatre in 1956, he starred in 45 theatrical productions ending at the age of 81 in The Exorcist at the Phoenix Theatre. He worked consistently on stage and screen, becoming a household name on TV as the archetypal English gent in To The Manor Born, Only When I Laugh, The Bounder and Lytton's Diary, which he devised himself.”
Bowles starred opposite Dame Penelope Keith in To the Manor Born, a high-rating BBC sitcom that originally ran from 1979 to 1981. He played Richard de Vere, a flashy but charming millionaire who purchases the vast country estate that Keith's character Audrey fforbes-Hamilton can no longer afford, much to her disapproval. 
Despite their initial differences, the two characters soon become fond of one another and eventually get married. Keith and Bowles reprised their roles for a one-off Christmas special in 2007 in which the couple celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

Bowles and Keith later starred together in another sitcom, Executive Stress, from 1987-1988. Among Bowles' numerous other TV credits were the 1970s legal drama Rumpole of the Bailey, in which he played the fancy barrister Sir Guthrie Featherstone, and Lytton's Diary, a 1980s drama series about a newspaper columnist. He also starred in two other fondly remembered sitcoms: Only When I Laugh (1979-1982) and The Bounder (1982-1983)
More recently, he had a recurring role opposite Jenna Coleman in the ITV/PBS Masterpiece historical drama series Victoria, which ran from 2016-2019, and appeared with Ben Whishaw in the acclaimed 2014 indie film Lilting. He also guest-starred in a 2011 episode of Doctor Who spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures.
Rest in Peace, Peter Bowles, and thank you for your contribution.