BBC show creator Nigel McCrery has died aged 71 just months after he spoke publicly about being diagnosed with a terminal illness.
The screenwriter, best known for TV crime dramas Silent Witness and New Tricks, had been battling the illness since October last year.
Both shows have gone on to become staples of the broadcaster’s programming since debuting in 1996 and 2005 respectively.
His agent confirmed the news of his death ‘with a heavy heart’ this morning.
The novelist’s agent told BBC News: ‘It’s with a heavy heart that we share the news of screenwriter, author and producer Nigel McCrery’s passing.
‘As the creative mind behind such hits as the much loved long running BBC drama series Silent Witness and New Tricks, Nigel captivated and inspired audiences for years with his work.
‘His numerous contributions to the arts will always be remembered. Nigel had an incredible career and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.’
Before beginning his TV career, Mr McCrery served as a police officer with the murder squad in Nottingham.
The screenwriter, best known for TV crime dramas Silent Witness and New Tricks, had been battling the illness since October last year
Mr McCrery created Silent Witness in 1996 and the show has become one of the BBC’s most enduring dramas
The second of the writer’s most enduring programmes was New Tricks, which ran for 12 series over more than a decade
He joined the BBC on a graduate entry scheme after leaving the force in 1990 and soon moved into the drama department.
The writer drew upon his background in policing to create his first show Backup, which ran between 1995 and 1997.
Mr McCrery would then go on to create Silent Witness in 1996, which initially starred Amanda Burton and then Emilia Fox.
The show, which follows a team of forensic pathologists investigating crimes, is one of the BBC’s longest running dramas and broadcast its 28th series earlier this year.
The second of the writer’s most enduring shows was New Tricks, created in 2005.
It focused on three retired police officers who were drafted in to help solve cold cases and ran for 12 series over more than a decade.
Mr McCrery also wrote several novels as well as a number of non-fiction books.
In November, the acclaimed writer spoke publicly for the first time about the illness.
‘It comes as quite a shock,’ he told BBC News.
‘I mean people deal with their deaths in different ways, and I think it’s all very, very individual to each of us. But I think for a little while you do go into shock – or I did, and I was in a bit of a state.’
During the interview, McCrery did not specify the nature of the illness.
