British actor Dennis Waterman, who starred in the TV shows Minder, The Sweeney and New Tricks, has died at 74. No immediate information the cause was available.

A statement from his family said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis passed away very peacefully in hospital in Spain, on Sunday afternoon, with [his wife] Pam by his side. The family kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

Waterman played bodyguard Terry McCann in Minder after his role as tough cop George Carter in The Sweeney. Minder was a portrayal of the criminal underworld in West London. Waterman also took the role of Gerry Standing in the BBC police drama New Tricks, which began in 2004. His other TV credits include ITV’s Where the Heart Is and the BBC’s The Canterbury Tales and Moses Jones.

Beyond acting, Waterman was known for singing the theme songs to many of his shows.