Harry Potter star David Ryall dies, aged 79

Harry Potter star David Ryall passed away on Christmas Day (December 25), aged 79.

Sherlock writer and star Mark Gatiss revealed the news by tweeting his sadness at the passing of his colleague.

"The great David Ryall left us on Christmas Day. A twinkling, brilliant, wonderful actor I was privileged to call a friend. RIP," Gatiss wrote.

The actor had a long and successful career across theatre, film and television.

Ryall appeared in numerous films, including playing the role of Elphias Doge in 2010's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

He was featured in the first two series of BBC One comedy Outnumbered as Frank, a grandfather who suffers from dementia.

He also starred in The Village as Britain's oldest man Old Bert, who narrated the series through flashback scenes.

Other television credits included writer Dennis Potter's The Singing Detective and Andrew Davies's adaptation of the House of Cards series.

Source: http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a618522/harry-potter-star-david-ryall-dies-aged-79.html