Wallace And Gromit star Peter Sallis dies aged 96

by Q Radio news

Peter Sallis, who was the voice of Wallace in the beloved clay animation Wallace And Gromit, has died aged 96.

The actor also starred in the long-running sitcom Last Of The Summer Wine, playing Norman Clegg between 1973 and 2010.

Sallis died peacefully with his family by his side on 2 June, his agents announced.

His role as Wallace, a loveable inventor with a penchant for Wensleydale cheese and a canine companion called Gromit, made his voice famous around the world.

He first became involved with the show after its creator Nick Park wrote to Sallis when he was a student in 1983 - and asked him to voice the clay character.

Sallis agreed, on the condition that £50 was donated to his favourite charity.

The cartoon went on to scoop several Academy Awards - with Sallis speaking of his delight at becoming an unlikely Hollywood star and enjoying success so late on in his career.

Sallis said: "It is pleasing knowing millions are going to see your work and enjoy it.

"To still be involved in a project like this at my age is heart-warming.

"To have a legacy like this is very comforting. I am very lucky to have been involved."

However, the actor insisted he was pleased that his voice rather than his face had become internationally recognisable, adding: "No one stops me when I speak or when they see me in the street. That's the way I like it."

After leaving school, Sallis had gone to follow his father into the world of banking - but when World War Two began, he signed up for the RAF and became a radio instructor.

He caught the acting bug in 1943 after being asked to star in a performance of Hay Fever, and went on to win a scholarship at RADA in 1946.

Sallis' first TV role came a year later - and during the 1950s and 1960s, he went on to gain minor roles in episodes of Doctor Who, The Avengers and Z Cars.

 (c) Sky News 2017: Wallace And Gromit star Peter Sallis dies aged 96