John Thaw’s daughter paid tribute to the late actor on his 81st birthday.
The Inspector Morse star died in February 2002 at the age of 60 after a battle with oesophageal cancer.
His daughter Abigail, 57, took to Twitter on Tuesday to pay tribute to him, posting a picture of the pair and writing: “Would have been 81 today.
Tribute: John Thaw’s daughter paid tribute to the late actor on his 81st birthday
‘Happy birthday, dad. Not a day goes by…’
John’s wife, Sheila Hancock, released a statement at the time of his death, saying: “John died with his family surrounding him.
“We were all so grateful for the thousands of letters and messages from people wishing him well.
“Everyone including the media has been wonderful during this difficult time and I want you all to know how much your support and understanding has meant to him and to all of us.”
The Inspector Morse star died in February 2002 at the age of 60 after a battle with oesophageal cancer.
John – who was made a CBE in 1993 – saw Sheila battle breast cancer himself 13 years before he died.
He had been cared for at the couple’s home in Lucington, near Chippenham, Wiltshire, before his death.
Spearheading the awards was David Liddiment, Director of Channels at ITV, who said: “Throughout his distinguished career, John understood the power of the small screen.
“He was the consummate television actor, capturing the imagination of millions of viewers.
Remembered: His daughter Abigail, 57, took to Twitter on Tuesday to pay tribute to him, posting a picture of the pair and writing, “Would have been 81 today.”
“He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with Sheila and his family.”
Television producer Ted Childs, who worked with John on Morse, The Sweeney and other programs for almost 30 years, said: “John was who he was during his illness – very positive, funny and reserved.
“Even in the last few weeks when he was obviously not doing very well, he was eager to get back to work and had a great sense of humour.
John is “a fairly private person” who shied away from the limelight despite the attention his immense success brought him, Ted said.
Iconic role: He played Morse for 13 years before the gruff, opera-loving Oxford detective was finally killed in 2000
“He wasn’t someone who was desperate for recognition in show business. He was very much a family man.’
He added: “It’s quite devastating, of course for his family, but also for those of us who knew him and have worked with him over the years.
Actress Sarah Lancashire, who starred with John on ITV drama The Glass, said he was a “national treasure” and was “madly missed”.
The former Coronation Street star said: “It was a privilege to have worked with John, but an even greater privilege to have known him, albeit briefly, as a friend.”
Clive Jones, the managing director of Carlton, which made Inspector Morse, Goodnight Mister Tom and Kavanagh QC, said John was “one of the great actors of his generation”.
Fame: He was catapulted to stardom as hardman DI Jack Regan in the dark cop series The Sweeney in 1974, and a spin-off film landed the Evening Standard Best Film Actor of the Year Award in 1977
“He was the audience’s choice in general,” he said.
“He will be remembered for some outstanding work in theater and television, but most notably for setting new standards in made-for-television films with Inspector Morse.”
Rada-trained John landed his first film role in the seminal 1962 film The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner.
He was catapulted to stardom as hardman DI Jack Regan in the dark cop series The Sweeney in 1974, and a spin-off film landed the Evening Standard Best Film Actor of the Year Award in 1977.
Tragic: John’s wife, Sheila Hancock, released a statement at the time of his death, saying: “John died with his family surrounding him.”
John, who also played West End and Shakespearean stage roles, became known for building solid characters like Kavanagh and Morse.
He played Morse for 13 years before the gruff, opera-loving Oxford detective was finally killed in 2000.
He has also appeared in a number of short series such as Monsignor Renard and one off dramas such as Buried Treasure.
Sheila – whom he married in 1973 – also lost her first husband Alec Ross to esophageal cancer in 1971.
Sad: Sheila – who he married in 1973 – also lost her first husband Alec Ross to esophageal cancer in 1971