`Never Say Never Again`s Lippe, actor Pat Roach, dies aged 67

18-Jul-2004 • Actor News

Actor Pat Roach, who starred in Auf Wiedersehen Pet, has died from cancer aged 67, his family has announced.

Roach was a wrestler and featured in movies including three Indiana Jones films, and Bond film Never Say Never Again, reports the BBC.

In Sean Connery`s unofficial 007 movie "Never Say Never Again" (1983), Roach played Lippe, who fought Bond viciously at Shrublands.

He died during the early hours on Saturday, biographer and family friend Shirley Thompson said.

"This is to confirm the news that Pat Roach passed away at 1.20am today, Saturday 17 July, 2004, after a long struggle with cancer," a family statement said.

"It is the express wish of Pat's family that any funeral ceremony should remain private.

"We can only hope that those concerned will have the sensitivity to realise that this is not a deliberate attempt to exclude the press but rather a desire to protect his family.

Tributes to the Birmingham-born star began to flood in on Saturday.

After his battle with cancer was first revealed in January Roach's declining health meant he was unable to take part in the latest instalment of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, currently being filmed in Thailand.

BBC producers had intended to work the filming around him, but Roach never got the chance.

Thanks to `Ken` for the alert.