Ian Richardson has died :(

[pollaxe]

Actor Ian Richardson, best remembered for his role as a scheming politician in TV's House Of Cards, has died aged 72.

He died in his sleep at home in central London early today.

His death came as a shock as he had not been ill and was due to begin filming his next role in TV show Midsomer Murders next week, his agent said.

Richardson was best known for playing Machiavellian chief whip Francis Urquhart in the cycnical political drama House Of Cards.

His character's catchphrase - "You may think that, I couldn't possibly comment" - became a much-used example of the kind of political double-talk used by spin doctors.

Richardson had also starred in one of the biggest TV dramas of the 1970s, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

In the Cold War drama, adapted from John le Carre's celebrated novel, he played Bill Haydon, a senior British spy chief suspected of being a long-term KGB agent.
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[nichomach]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not Bloody Bill Haydon! Sad loss, indeed.

[Kezzer]

"Political double-talk". It's double-speak, coined by George Orwell!

Anyhow, I had never actually heard of this guy, or seen any of his works. Too many people dying lately!

[kalniel]

A shame. He was typecast as Machiavellian in quite a lot of roles. Wasn't he also in the BBC version of Gormenghast?

[Gordy]

I've always been amazed that the bbc haven't re run the house of cards it was very good indeed.

He and the blond lead were very good.

RIP

[99Flake]

He was also excellant as the voice of Death in Terry Pratchetts 'The Hogfather'.