John Nettleton, who was best known for portraying Sir Arnold Robinson in the political satire sitcom Yes Minister, has died aged 94.

John Nettleton has died aged 94 (Image: GETTY)

John Nettleton, star of Yes Minister, has died at the age of 94, his acting agency has confirmed.

A statement from his agent, Scott Marshall Partners, shared with the PA news agency said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client and much-loved stage and screen actor John Nettleton at the age of 94.

“He is survived by his wife Deirdre, three children and five grandchildren.”

As well as appearing in Yes Minister for many years, John played character Sir Arnold Robinson in the political sitcom’s sequel Yes, Prime Minister, in the 1980s.

He has also appeared in BBC medical drama series Casualty, as well as detective dramas Midsomer Murders and Foyle’s War.

John Nettleton was a beloved actor (Image: Getty)

In addition, he had another political role as Conservative MP Sir Stephen Baxter in the British sitcom The New Statesman.

John was born in London on February 5, 1929, and married actress Deirdre Doone.

Some might remember John for playing the Ministry of Defence department chief in 1960s British TV show, The Avengers.

John Nettleton had a career spanning decades (Image: Getty)

He has also held roles in notable shows like Upstairs, Downstairs (1972), Brideshead Revisited (1981) and East of Ipswich (1987).

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, John leant his voice to read various illustrated stories on BBC children’s programme Blue Peter.

His stage work included a performance in Harley Granville-Barker’s The Voysey Inheritance for the Royal National Theatre in 2006.

He also appeared in the Olivier Theatre in the 1990 production of Alan Bennett’s Wind in the Willows, directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Tributes have been pouring in for John on Twitter, with Gerald writing: “Sad to hear the death of English actor John Nettleton at the grand old age of 94. RIP. Will always be remembered as Sir Arnold Robinson in Yes Minister.”

Ian tweeted: “John Nettleton has died. His turn in Ghost Light is grand, but the Yes Minister/Prime Minister role is his tour de force. RIP.”