British-Australian actor Terence Donovan, best known for his roles on the soap operas Neighbours and Home and Away, has died at the age of 90, his family announced.

His son, actor Jason Donovan, confirmed that his father died peacefully in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday evening. "Our Dad was a huge character, larger than life. He was our best friend ... our world! We will desperately miss him but we take comfort knowing we were all here by his side in his final days," the post read.

London-born Donovan was also popular for his roles in Australian police dramas Division 4 and Cop Shop, which aired in the 1970s and 1980s. He began his career as a singer before making his screen debut in the early 1960s.

Donovan joined the cast of Neighbours in the 1990s as Doug Willis, shortly after his son Jason had left the show. He also featured as Al Simpson on Home and Away. His memorable film credits include roles in The Man from Snowy River and Breaker Morant.

In the tribute, Jason also said his father used his profile during the early 1970s to garner support for an Australian film and television industry. "Without people like my Dad we might not have seen the growth in the industry during the 70s and 80s," he wrote.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk