British sitcom legend and James Bond star Geoffrey Palmer was no stranger to Bucks.

He lived near Great Missenden and made many appearances over the years at local events, including turning up at community meetings about the controversial HS2 railway line.

In 2000, the As Time Goes By star signed copies of a poetry book in aid of the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home charity at the WHSmith in Beaconsfield.

ALSO READ: TV star and Bucks resident Geoffrey Palmer dies aged 93

And in 2002, he opened a care home’s sitting room in Great Missenden.

Mr Palmer went to Abbeyfield House, Link Road, to open a new extension at the home.

Seven years later, he joined guests at the opening of the gardens at Bledlow Manor after becoming patron of the Abbeyfield Society, which provided housing with care to older people.

In 2011, he unveiled a new-look charity shop for Iain Rennie Hospice at Home in Princes Risborough, of which he was a long-term supporter, and in 2012 he returned to the town to officially open an Iain Rennie Hospice at Home shop selling second-hand books, music and film in the High Street.

2012 also saw the actor campaign against HS2, gathering with campaigners in Great Missenden and saying he hoped “common sense might prevail”.

At the time, he also dubbed the project “politician’s vanity”.

Mr Palmer died yesterday (Thursday) at the age of 93, his agent confirmed.

He was made an OBE in 2004 for his services to drama, with notable performances including Fawlty Towers, Dr Who and 007 film Tomorrow Never Dies.

He was best known for his appearances in The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, As Time Goes By and Butterflies.