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Actor Pat Roach, who starred in Auf Wiedersehen Pet, has died from cancer aged 67, his family has announced.
Roach played Bomber in the popular drama, which recently screened its fourth series set in Havana, Cuba.
He died during the early hours on Saturday, biographer and family friend Shirley Thompson said.
"This is to confirm the news that Pat Roach passed away at 1.20am today, Saturday 17 July, 2004, after a long struggle with cancer," a family statement said.
"It is the express wish of Pat's family that any funeral ceremony should remain private.
"We can only hope that those concerned will have the sensitivity to realise that this is not a deliberate attempt to exclude the press but rather a desire to protect his family.
"Following the funeral a detailed account of the ceremony will be made available."
Laura Mackie, BBC Head of Drama Serials, said: "Pat made a fantastic contribution to Auf Wiedersehen, Pet over the years and he created a much loved character in the gentle giant, Bomber.
"Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."
Franc Roddam, creator and executive producer of the show said the news would be a "huge blow" for everyone involved in the production.
"Pat was a wonderful, wise and gentle man much loved by all the series' other actors and we're all devastated by his death.
"This really is Auf Wiedersehen, Pat."
Roach played Bomber in the popular drama, which recently screened its fourth series set in Havana, Cuba.
He died during the early hours on Saturday, biographer and family friend Shirley Thompson said.
"This is to confirm the news that Pat Roach passed away at 1.20am today, Saturday 17 July, 2004, after a long struggle with cancer," a family statement said.
"It is the express wish of Pat's family that any funeral ceremony should remain private.
"We can only hope that those concerned will have the sensitivity to realise that this is not a deliberate attempt to exclude the press but rather a desire to protect his family.
"Following the funeral a detailed account of the ceremony will be made available."
Laura Mackie, BBC Head of Drama Serials, said: "Pat made a fantastic contribution to Auf Wiedersehen, Pet over the years and he created a much loved character in the gentle giant, Bomber.
"Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."
Franc Roddam, creator and executive producer of the show said the news would be a "huge blow" for everyone involved in the production.
"Pat was a wonderful, wise and gentle man much loved by all the series' other actors and we're all devastated by his death.
"This really is Auf Wiedersehen, Pat."
