'He was utterly remarkable': Tributes pour in for veteran actor Michael Jayston who dies at 88

UK, LONDON: The veteran English actor Michael Jayston reportedly lost his life following a “short illness” on Monday, February 5. He was 88.

Jayston was adored and revered for his portrayal of James Turner on 'Only Fools and Horses.'

In the 1996 episode titled 'Time On Our Hands,' Jayston portrayed James, the father of Tessa Peake-Jones' character, Raquel Turner, in the show.

The December 29, 1996, episode made a British sitcom record after being watched by 24.3 million Britishers, Daily Mail reported.

Michael Jayston’s family asks for privacy

M&M Famous Faces shared the heartbreaking news of Jayston's passing, stating, "It is with great sadness that I have been asked by his family to share the news, Michael Jayston sadly passed away this morning after a short illness."

The statement added, “Those who knew Michael will know he was full of love, laughs, and happiness. His family would appreciate privacy at this time.”

Michael Jayston will be remembered as a 'distinguished performer’

The Guardian also honored the 'Jane Eyre' star, describing him as "a distinguished performer on stage and screen."

The publication wrote, “The roles that made his name were as the doomed Tsar Nicholas II of Russia in Franklin Schaffner’s sumptuous account of the last days of the Romanovs in Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) and as Alec Guinness’s intelligence minder in John Le Carre's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on television in 1979.”

The publication further asserted that Jayston "never made a song and dance about himself," which perhaps led to him not being launched in Hollywood like many of his contemporaries.

Internet mourns the death of Michael Jayston

Several people took to social media sites to express their condolence.

An X user tweeted, “RIP Michael Jayston. One of the greats. Here's one of my favorite exchanges of all of TV from the amazing Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.”

Another user wrote, “I interviewed him onstage last year. He didn’t want to talk Who. He wanted to talk politics. Well, my God, nobody who was there would forget the following 45 minutes. He was utterly remarkable, full of life and stories and piss & vinegar. One of my favorite people. He was brill.”

“So sorry to hear this. What an actor. What a voice. Sincere condolences to those who knew and loved him. Very sad news indeed,” one more user shared.

Another one said, "Very sad to hear of Michael’s passing today. I remember playing cricket with him at Rottingdean CC as a teenager - if I recall he bowled leg breaks including a great googly! What an absolute gentleman he was and that legendary voice - wow utterly unique. Sleep well Mr Jayston."

A person on Facebook commented, “Deepest condolences,” while another added, “So sad.”