Doctor Who and Harry Potter star Simon Fisher-Becker has died at the age of 63.
His agent Kim Barry of Jaffrey Management confirmed to Metro that Fisher-Becker had died on Sunday.
The actor was best known for parts as Tony Fazackerley in Puppy Love for the BBC, opposite Bafta-winner Joanna Scanlan and Vicki Pepperdine, and as intergalactic black marketeer Dorium Maldovar in Doctor Who.
Fans also loved him for his portrayal of ghost The Fat Friar in the 2001 film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Paying tribute in a statement to the actor, Barry added to Metro: ‘Today I lost not only a client in Simon Fisher-Becker, but a close personal friend of 15 years standing.
Get personalised updates on Doctor Who
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
‘I shall never forget the phone call I made to him when he was offered the part of Dorium Moldovar in BBC’s Dr Who.
‘Simon was also a writer, a raconteur and a great public speaker. He helped me out enormously and was kind, gracious and interested in everyone.
‘My condolences go to his husband Tony, his brother, nieces and nephews and his legion of fans.’
Fisher-Becker’s husband also shared the news with fans on Facebook, posting to the actor’s page: ‘Hello everyone. This is Tony, Simon’s husband .
‘I have some very sad news. At 2:50 this afternoon Simon passed away.
‘I’ll be keeping this account open for a while. I’m not sure at this point if I’ll be posting again. Thank you.’
The veteran performer, who trod the boards with the likes of Paul Scofield and Dame Eileen Atkins, had also appeared in classic TV shows including One Foot in the Grave, The Bill and Doctors, as well as Love Soup, Getting On and Afterlife.
His blue-skinned Doctor Who character Dorium appeared in series five and six of the revival, during Matt Smith’s era as the Doctor, before he returned for podcast series Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Chronicles and Jenny – The Doctor’s Daughter.
Cast as the Fat Friar, he was Hufflepuff House’s resident ghost, making an impact despite the reduced role of ghosts in the film franchise compared to J.K. Rowling’s books.
He also had a small role in the Oscar-winning 2012 film Les Misérables.
Fisher-Becker was a popular figure on social media as a vlogger, and had written several shows and short memoirs about his life and career.
Several fans shared sweet tributes to Fisher-Becker online as the news of his death spread on Sunday.
More Trending
‘His stage routine was one of the funniest things I’ve heard in ages. A dear man who valued his audiences. RIP Simon, shine on,’ wrote Joe Halliday on X, while Kelly Stuart shared: ‘Really sad news. I met him at a con a few years ago and he was really lovely.’
‘Incredibly upsetting to hear,’ tweeted Jessi. ‘What’s lovely is that both Dorium and the maldovarium/maldovar market are plastered all over the Moffat era of Doctor who. He’ll never be forgotten.’
‘“The first question, the question you have been running from your whole lives. Doctor Who?” Amazing delivery, RIP Simon,’ added @TheyOllyOmar on Reddit.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: Harry Potter star given shocking advice by police during terrifying stalking ordeal
MORE: Doctor Who star was ‘ready to quit’ before landing Hollyoaks role
MORE: Why I think Warner Bros. should sell up and leave the games industry – Reader’s Feature
