'Doctor Who' Actor Richard Franklin Dead at 87

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, JUNE 23: Richard Franklin at the BBC studios recording a Doctor Who audiobook, London, June 23, 2009. (Photo by Kevin Nixon/SFX magazine via Getty Images)

Richard Franklin, perhaps best known as Doctor Who's Captain Mike Yates in the early '70s, has died. He was 87 years old.

His family confirmed his passing via his official X account (formerly Twitter) on Christmas afternoon, sharing that he had passed away in his sleep overnight after fighting a long-term illness.

"We are deeply saddened by his loss, we will fondly remember him for his generosity, creative spirit and fantastic story telling," the statement continued. “He is also well remembered outside the family for his long running career in TV and Theatre where he delighted audiences of all ages. This gave him great joy and we know his legacy will last.”

Franklin's social media manager, Liam Rudden, reposted a slew of tributes from fans and colleagues, later adding that Franklin "would have loved that he is trending, once I’d explained to him what it meant" and calling it "a magnificent tribute to him..."

Rudden also shared that Franklin "was always surprised and humbled by the love shown to him and it was very much reciprocated."

Fellow actor Barnaby Edwards called him "a delight to act with and a sweetheart in the green room."

Series fan David M posted a touching memory of the late actor, sharing, "When I was younger, I told him I was in a production of Rocky Horror and he came to help with the production, free of charge," adding that he was "a kind and generous man."

Katy Manning, who played companion Jo Grant in the show, revealed that she had just had the opportunity to visit him a few days prior to his passing, sharing a photo from the occasion alongside a throwback from their days on set. "smiling memories & love for him are with me & all of us who's lives he touched& enriched. my thoughts are with his family," she wrote.

Franklin was also known for a brief stint on the soap opera Crossroads, The Doctors, the Little Women mini-series, and Emmerdale Farm, as well as 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

It's not clear at this time what long-term illness Franklin was suffering from.

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