MALMESBURY actor James Grout has paid tribute to his friend John Thaw, who died of cancer last week at his Luckington home, aged 60.

Thaw, who starred as Det Insp Jack Regan in the Seventies police series The Sweeney, was cremated at Westerleigh crematorium, near Bristol, on Monday, with only his wife and daughters attending the service.

James, who played Chief Superintendent Strange in Inspector Morse, spoke of his surprise when he heard of John's illness.

He said: "It was a shock when I heard he had cancer, last year. "I hadn't seen him recently, but I heard he was very ill. "He was a great actor and a good friend, and we mustn't forget that he will be greatly missed by his three daughters, and his wife, Sheila Hancock, who will be on her own now. "Inspector Morse is already dead, as we buried him in the last episode."

James said that John's death would leave a big gap in the showbusiness world. "John is going to be seriously missed in the industry," he said. "He always said that success mattered more than fame, although he never suffered fools gladly, but luckily we never had any fools on the set of Morse."

James first worked with John Thaw in Redcap, a Sixties television series about the military police, recently revived by the BBC, starring Eastenders star Tamzin Outhwaite.

"I will remember John for his generosity and his kindness," he said. "He would always respect your privacy and would expect you to respect his in return. "He was a very private man, and was never interested in the fame game. "He went along with it, but never boasted about his success."

A statement released by Sheila Hancock's son-in-law Matthew Byam Shaw said: "Sheila is exhausted after caring for John during his illness, and is devastated by his death, so his service was a very private affair, with just Sheila, and daughters Melanie, Abigail and Joanna present.

"When the family has gained its strength again, a celebration of John will be arranged. "They have been overwhelmed by and are deeply grateful by all the love that has been poured on them and will in time reply to the many letters and messages they have received."