Croydon-born star of stage and screen Edward Woodward has died in hospital aged 79, after suffering from a string of illnesses.

The versatile actor was best known for his role as a religious police detective in 1973 horror film The Wicker Man, and became a cult figure on US TV through his performances as former spy Robert McCall in The Equalizer.

Woodward attended Eccleston Road and Sydenham Road schools in the borough and initially hoped to become a journalist, before gaining a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art(RADA) at the age of 16.

He cut his performing teeth as a Shakespearean actor in ‘rep’ theatre throughout England and Scotland, before making an impact on Noel Coward during a performance on New York’s Broadway.

Making the move to TV in 1967, Woodward gained huge acclaim for his portrayal of cynical secret service agent Callan in the eponymous ITV series.

He won a Bafta for best actor for the role, which was supposed to be TV’s answer to James Bond, but became so closely identified with the part he struggled to find TV work when the series finished in 1972.

Despite the lull in television roles, Woodward won over a new legion of fans in the 1980s in American series The Equalizer, which ended abruptly after four successful years when the actor suffered a massive coronary caused by his devotion to junk food and 100-a-day cigarette habit.

More recently Woodward starred alongside his son Tim and grandson Sam in an episode of police drama The Bill in 2008, and made his last TV appearance in an episode of Eastenders earlier this year.

His agent said the actor had been ill for several months, and had passed away surrounded by family members.

He is survived by his second wife, the actress Michele Dotrice, and four children, three of whom were from his first marriage.

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