BHC

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The actor Ian Richardson, best remembered for television role as the Machiavellian chief whip Francis Urquhart in the BBC series House of Cards, died suddenly today at the age of 72.

	Ian Richardson's death was unexpected

He died in his sleep at his home at Richmond, Surrey. He had not been ill and his death was a shock, his agent said.

The actor was due to start filming an episode of ITV’s Midsomer Murders next week.

Richardson, who started as a Shakesperian actor and went on to star in numerous films and other TV dramas, was concerned about being typecast as the scheming Urquhart, which won him a BAFTA award.

He said two years ago: "I’m grateful for the part as it put me on the map. The only trouble is getting rid of it. So many people seem to think that I am like him."

Paul Seed, who directed House of Cards, today called Richardson "the most sophisticated craftsman comic actor in this country".

"I cast him in House of Cards because of his comic talent and he was utterly brilliant. His passing is the end of a generation of that kind of actor."

Michael Dobbs, co-author of House of Cards and its sequels, the To Play the King and The Final Cut, described him as "a superb actor" who was "very careful not to let the fame get in the way of his personal integrity".

Richardson appeared in the BBC’s recent adaptation of Bleak House. Other television roles included Sherlock Holmes, Lord Groan in Gormenghast, Sir Godber Evans in Porterhouse Blue and the 'Tailor’ in John Le Carre’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

The actor’s famous one-liner in House of Cards - "You may very well think that; I couldn’t possibly comment" - passed into common parlance at Westminster.

By Nigel Reynolds, Arts Correspondent -