Voice of TV's Mr Benn dies aged 86
The actor, who also played Joe Macer in EastEnders , died peacefully on Saturday, surrounded by loved ones, after a short illness.
According to a family statement, he had spent the last few years living with dementia. Brooks's sons Will and Tom said: 'His three true loves were family (he also had a daughter Emma, who died in 2003), Fulham Football Club, and spending time in Brighton, where he was born.'
The cartoon Mr Benn, narrated by Brooks, follows a character who enters a magical costume shop and travels to new places based on the costumes he wears. Despite only releasing 13 episodes, it became well-known to generations of children as the episodes were repeated twice a year for more than 21 years.
Brooks went on to appear in a host of different prime time television shows including ITV's Coronation Street, in which he played Norman Philips.
He also starred in the BBC comedy drama Big Deal, which followed gambler Robbie Box as he tried to make a living by betting while also trying to maintain his relationship with Jan, played by Sharon Duce.
Brooks earned himself a number of film credits, including a role in The Knack... And How To Get It, which won the 1965 Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
A year later he starred in Ken Loach's Cathy Come Home, which documented the impact of Britain's housing shortage in the late 1960s.
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