Ian Lavender who played Private Pike in the hit BBC sitcom Dad's Army has died at the age of 77.

The actor from Birmingham was 22 when he was cast for the role of Private Pike decades ago.

He would end up spending 10 years in the role and would go on to become a household name across the UK.

Dad's Army aired for nine series and first landed on BBC One in 1968 before coming to an end in 1977.

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Many scenes were filmed around the Thetford area, including at nearby Lynford Hall, Brandon Station and Elveden Tower, as well as across other parts of Norfolk including Oxburgh Hall, near Swaffham.

After his first appearance on Dad's Army alongside Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and John Laurie, he would go on to star in a number of other works such as Carry On Behind which was released in 1975.

The star died on Friday and was the last surviving main cast member from the original series.