IAN MCKELLEN - THE PRISONER STAR PATRICK MCGOOHAN DIES AT 80

THE PRISONER STAR PATRICK MCGOOHAN DIES AT 80

Patrick McGoohan, the Emmy-winning star of cult series The Prisoner, has died at the age of 80.

He died in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a short illness, his son-in-law Cleve Landsberg confirmed.

Born in Astoria, New York, he won two Emmys for his work on the detective drama Colombo and was renowned to a new generation of fans as King Edward Longshanks in the 1995 film Braveheart.

But he is best known for the lead character in The Prisoner, labelled Number Six by his captors in a small seaside village from which he continually tried to escape.

As well as starring in the show, McGoohan also produced, directed and on occasion wrote the show, using the pseudonyms Paddy Fitz and Joseph Serf as well as his own name.

The show is set for a US remake this year, starring Sir Ian McKellen and Jim Caviezel.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years Joan Drummond McGoohan, three daughters, five grandchildren and a great grandson.