EastEnders legends pay tribute to Tony Caunter, Roy Evans star, who has died aged 88

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EastEnders cast members have paid tribute to Tony Caunter after his death at the age of 88.

The actor best known for his role as Roy Evans in the BBC soap opera has died, his family announced.

The family of Tony Caunter shared the heartbreaking news of his passing yesterday evening. He died peacefully just eight days after the death of his wife of 63 years, Fran. He was a much-loved father and will be deeply missed.

Our father was 88 years old. After a long and happy life dedicated to performing, Tony is survived by his four children, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

We are deeply grateful to the staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital for the wonderful care they provided in his final hours. We also want to thank everyone at Eastbourne Gardens nursing home for the kind and compassionate care they gave our dad over the last two months.

Between 1994 and 2003, actor Caunter played Roy in the BBC soap opera. His character was initially introduced as a love interest for Pat Butcher (played by Pam St Clement), and they eventually married.

Over the years, he played a central role in many important plotlines. One memorable story involved him finding out his wife, Pat, was having an affair with her former boyfriend, Frank Butcher – who was also married to Peggy Mitchell.

Besides his role in The Onedin Line, Caunter appeared in several other television shows, such as Pennies From Heaven, Tumbledown, Juliet Bravo, and Boon, the latter of which featured Michael Elphick, known for his work on EastEnders.

In a statement to The Sun, St Clement paid tribute to her beloved co-star.

She expressed her deep sadness upon learning of Tony’s death, describing him as both a kind person and a pleasure to work with.

EastEnders posted a heartfelt message on social media announcing the sad news of Tony Caunter’s death.

Everyone at EastEnders will always cherish Tony for his warm personality, kindness, and sense of humor. Viewers at home will fondly remember him as Roy, instantly connecting with the character.

I’ll never forget Roy and Pat! It’s funny to think their amazing love story started because he openly disliked her earrings – it was such a classic Walford moment, and it showed how much he really cared for her, even if he didn’t always show it in conventional ways. They were just iconic together.

Everyone who worked with Tony for many years will deeply miss him. The entire team at EastEnders sends their heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.

Patsy Palmer, known for her role in the show Bianca Jackson, shared a heartfelt message, remembering a wonderful man who was both kind and humorous. She recalled this time as a period of creativity, kindness, and freedom in her career, and offered her blessings.

Michelle Collins, who plays Cindy Beale in EastEnders, also wrote: “Lovely man ! Xxx.”

Shaun Williamson, known for playing Barry Evans in EastEnders, also expressed his sympathy after hearing the news.

He posted a picture of them together on Instagram and captioned the image: “RIP Tony Caunter.”

He described the man as a father figure who profoundly influenced his career and personal life. He praised him as both a talented actor and a wonderful person, expressing deep sorrow at his loss.

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2025-10-15 14:04