BARRY FOSTER DIES AGED 70

BARRY FOSTER DIES AGED 70

Barry Foster , has died at the age of 70. He had been appearing in Art at the Whitehall Theatre but was taken ill last Friday. He was best known for his role in the '70s detective series "Van Der Valk" .

He is thought to have had a heart attack.

Barry Foster's agent Sandy Rees, who had worked with him for more than 20 years, said: "He was a great wit and had the clearest intelligence and enthusiasm."

His first leading role in London was in Fairy Tales of New York at the Comedy, followed almost immediately by My Place at the same theatre. Other West End credits include Judith at Her Majesty's, Brecht on Brecht at the Royal Court and Next Time I'll Sing to You (Arts and Criterion). Further West End plays include Pinter's Tea Party/The Basement , Mercer's After Haggerty. In 1994-5 he played Inspector Goole in Stephen Daldry's production of An Inspector Calls at the Aldwych.

Barry Foster leaves his wife or more than 40 years and three children.