Hi-de-Hi! star Barry Howard has died aged 78.

The actor was best known for playing snooty Barry Stuart-Hargreaves in the BBC One comedy.

Paired with the late Diane Holland, who portrayed his equally snobby on-screen wife Yvonne, Barry was an original cast member of the popular sitcom.

Barry Howard and Diane Holland (YouTube/screengrab/BBC)
Barry Howard and Diane Holland (YouTube/screengrab/BBC)

His character was thought to be gay, but this was never confirmed in the show.

A statement from Barry’s friend and agent Sharry Clark said: “The much-loved actor Barry Howard, best known for his exquisitely supercilious Barry Stuart-Hargreaves, the champion ballroom dancer in BBC’s hugely popular Hi-de-Hi!, passed away today aged 78.”

Veteran actor Barry had been suffering from blood cancer and had been ill for some time, Sharry said.

Barry Howard (Sharry Clark)
Barry Howard (Sharry Clark)

The actor starred as the camp dance instructor in the summer camp sitcom from 1980 to 1986.

He later had a guest role as Oliver Barnes in the Doctor Who Christmas special in 2009.