A TOP theatre company spoke of their shock after the actor who was due to play their lead role died after a long illness.

Malcolm McFee was due to have played the Dame in the The Elgiva theatre company pantomime of Beauty and the Beast, which is due to start performances in less than three weeks.

Mr McFee is featured on all the promotional posters for the play, and is pictured on the cover of the theatre's What's On guide to forthcoming productions.

Mark Barnes, a spokesman for the Chesham-based theatre, said he was deeply shocked and saddened at the news.

He added: "He has been with us for the last three years. He was supposed to be coming up this Friday to act as assistant director and this has come as a real blow to everyone. It does not bode well when you are opening a big show for this to happen."

Malcolm McFee, who was in his mid 50s and from Braintree, Essex, is best known for his role as Peter Craven in the 1970s hit TV series Please Sir and The Fenn Street Gang.

The shows ran from 1968 until 1975 and during those seven years were always in the top five in the TV ratings.

He also appeared in other TV series like The Sweeney, Minder, The Detectives and Birds of a Feather.

As a theatre director he has worked with a host of stars, including spells in Hereford and Chelmsford staging everything from classical concerts with Yehudi Menuhin to Joseph via Agatha Christie and George Bernard Shaw.

A replacement for Mr McFee has been lined up by the group in the shape of David Barry, who coincidentally starred alongside his late colleague in both Please Sir and The Fenn Street Gang.

For more information on this year's panto call 01494 582900