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The actor starred in the innuendo-laced comedy films as well as TV sitcoms including Porridge and The Likely Lads

Julian Holloway, who starred in eight Carry On films and was a regular in TV shows such as The Sweeney and Doctor Who, has died. He was 80.

In a statement to the Guardian, agents for the actor confirmed that Holloway died after a brief illness in a Bournemouth hospital on 16 February.

Ian McDiarmid's acting career stretches back to 1972 when he appeared in a production of "Hamlet" at the Open Space Theater in London. He continued a prolific stage career while simultaneously moving to film in 1976 with his cinematic debut "The Likely Lads," a bawdy comedy film. McDiarmid might first have been recognized by mainstream American audiences thanks to his appearance in Matthew Robbins' 1981 fantasy film "Dragonslayer," although he assured a permanent spot in the pop culture canon in 1983 when he appeared as the evil Emperor in Richard Marquand's "Return of the Jedi."

Because that film was part of the "Star Wars" series, McDiarmid might have been at peace with the fact that he'd likely appear in future sequels. It would take another 16 years, but McDiarmid returned as a young version of the Emperor in George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace." That film was a prequel...

The BBC has revealed the first trailer for four-part drama series “Marriage,” starring Sean Bean (“Time”) and Nicola Walker (“The Split”). The series will bow on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Aug. 14.

Written and directed by Stefan Golaszewski, the drama follows Ian (Bean) and Emma (Walker) as they negotiate the ups and downs of their 30-year marriage. They deal with the insecurities, the ambiguities, the hopes and the fears that are part of all marriages, as the drama explores the risks and the gifts of a long-term intimate relationship.

The cast also includes James Bolam as Gerry, Emma’s father, Henry Lloyd-Hughes as Jamie, Emma’s boss and Chantelle Alle as Jessica, Ian and Emma’s daughter.

The series is produced by The Forge and The Money Men. Executive producers are Tommy Bulfin for the BBC, Beth Willis and George Faber for The Forge and Richard Laxton and Stefan Golaszewski for The Money Men.