He complained of pains at his London home on Sunday and died in hospital.

Elphick became a regular face in British homes for many years as ex-fireman Ken Boon on ITV.

And his last high-profile role was last year in EastEnders as Harry Slater, who was forced to flee Albert Square after it emerged he had raped his niece.

Thank you for your tributes to Michael Elphick. Read a selection of your comments below.

He was a mature and talented actor

Jez Worth, Canada (expat UK)

Michael Elphick's Barkis in the 1999 version of David Copperfield was definitive for me. He and Pauline Quirke were brilliant together and thoroughly loveable. It is so sad that we won't see him in more roles of that calibre, for he was a mature and talented actor.
Jez Worth, Canada (expat UK)

We'll miss your great acting Michael, especially as Boon and again, as Harry in Eastenders. You really made him an interesting if hated man! Thank you.
Anne, Saudi Arabia

Wonderful in Boon, a true master of his craft who will be sorely missed.
Matthew Wentworth, UK

Very sad to hear of Michael Elphick's passing. A first-class character actor. I treasure his performance as Jake the poacher in Withnail and I.
Paula Abell, UK

A wonderful actor, I loved all his work, right from the early days watching Private Schultz through to Boon. He came across as a real character. Few actors could achieve his down to earth appeal; he will be very sadly missed.
Keith, San Francisco, USA

Farewell and thanks mate

Name Here

Private Schultz was the funniest zaniest craziest programme since the Goon Shows and it is equally crazy it's never been re-shown. Michael Elphick was absolutely perfect in it. Farewell and thanks mate.
Heward Wilkinson, UK

We all seem to have forgotten "Three up, Two down" He was priceless as Daphne's flatmate, protector and would-be lover, thanks for all the laughs Michael, you will be remembered with fondness by a great many fans.
Kevin Spencer, UK

I was lucky enough to see Michael Elphick at work as 'Boon' was filmed just outside where I worked. He became closely identified with Nottingham and he'll be sorely missed by those of us who had a real fondness for this down-to-earth but highly talented actor.
Nick Clark, England

We shall miss your work Michael

Kelly, UK

I am very sad at this news. Although I'm young I have enjoyed all of Michaels work, Ken Boon, Harry Slater and even Sam Tyler in Three Up, Two down. We shall miss your work Michael.
Kelly, UK

Boon was part of my childhood and made an impact on me with the way that his character treated others on screen. Personal problems aside, a great man, a sad loss to British acting.
Pete Sutcliffe, United Kingdom

Ah, Private Schultz. This is the role I love to remember Michael Elphick playing. One of those childhood memories that will stick with me forever. Somebody out there, bring it back.
Anne, UK

I used to watch Boon when I was younger and I loved Michael Elphick, he was my hero for a long time! RIP you will be missed!
Sue Richards, England

What a great actor

Michael, England

What a great actor, my thoughts with his family and friends. To his Family, thanks for his talents, he entertained us all.
Michael, England

Michael Elphick was one of the most underrated of contemporary British actors. An excellent, intelligent performer, and a lovely man to boot. He will be missed terribly, and my thoughts are with all his family.
Eddie, UK

I have fond memories of Michael. I used to watch Boon with my granny as a young boy and will always remember how she loved his good-humoured gentleness. A sad loss, indeed, though it was great to see him on screen again in EastEnders.
Calan MicAmlaidh, Scotland

Richard E Grant became a star with his appearance in Withnail and I but his whole performance was overshadowed by Michael Elphick's outrageous cameo. RIP, madman with the eels!!
Peter Lotis Abram, Australia

Another loss from the 'old school' of actors

Nick Clayton, UK

Rest in peace, Private Schultz - may your fortunes never be at the bottom of a lake.
Graham, US

A very talented actor who was perfectly suited to the role of Ken Boon. I could imagine there being many similarities between the onscreen character and that of Elphick. Sad to hear of his rather sudden and premature death, though. Another loss from the 'old school' of actors.
Nick Clayton, UK

Michael Elphick never seemed to be far away from motorcycles, but to many bikers he will be best remembered as the hapless and hilarious Inspector Cleaver in I bought a Vampire Motorcycle - after Quadrophenia (in which he also starred), surely the best British biking movie.
Joolz, GB

Michael Elphick was one of the most under-rated of contemporary British actors. An excellent, intelligent performer, and a lovely man to boot. He will be missed terribly, and my thoughts are with all his family.
Eddie, UK

Brilliant in Boon and played the part in EastEnders - versatility!
Tony Prendergast, UK