LONDON, Dec 28: Sir Alan Bates, one of the most respected and experienced veterans of the stage and screen in Britain, has died in London after a long battle with cancer, his agent announced on Sunday. He was 69.

Bates was acclaimed for his performances in John Osborne’s landmark play “Look Back In Anger” and for many film appearances, particularly playing opposite the late Oliver Reed in “Women In Love”.

His more recent film appearances included “The Sum of All Fears” and “Gosford Park”.

Bates’ agent Rosalind Chatto said he died at a London hospital on Saturday. No other details were released.

Bates, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II this year, made his name initially on the stage before becoming one of Britain’s most highly regarded screen actors.

“As he grew older he became an even better actor with much greater depth and breadth,” said actress and Labour MP Glenda Jackson, who co-starred with Bates in “Women in Love”.

It was his appearances in Osborne’s ground-breaking play “Look Back In Anger” in 1956 that brought Bates his first great success.

Bates made his film debut in an adaptation of Osborne’s “The Entertainer” in 1960.—AFP