The Royle Family and Emmerdale actor Peter Martin has died age 82

Tributes have been pouring in for The Royle Family star Peter Martin who has died at the age of 82. Peter, who played Jim and Barbara Royle's neighbour Joe Carroll in the Manchester sitcom for 14 years, also played Len Reynolds in the ITV soap Emmerdale from 2001 until 2007.

The sad news was confirmed by friends who paid tribute on Facebook. Dave Shann wrote: "My friend, drinking partner, fishing buddy past away on Wednesday morning, very sad, many of you will know him from TV, RIP Peter Martin, we had some great laughs."

Paul Willam Sykes said: "My condolences to his friends and family. R. I. P. Peter it was nice to share some laughter with you." And also amongst those sharing tributes was Melanie Moorhouse said: "What a lovely gentleman he was."

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His loveable and shy character Joe was the husband of Mary and father of Cheryl and a regular source of mocking by Jim and his son Antony. After a few drinks he came out of his shell and proved to be a talented singer.

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