Tony Caunter, the much-loved actor best known for his portrayal of Roy Evans in the iconic BBC soap EastEnders, has died at the age of 88. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully on Monday evening, October 13, 2025, at Eastbourne District General Hospital, just eight days after the death of his wife of 63 years, Frances Wallace. The news has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, colleagues, and the wider television community, all remembering a performer whose warmth and talent left an indelible mark on British television.
In a statement released to the media, Caunter’s family shared their deep sense of loss: “It is with enormous sadness that we bring the curtain down on our wonderful and hugely loved father, Tony Caunter, who died peacefully yesterday evening, just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years, Fran, also passed away.” They added, “Dad was 88 years old. After a long and fulfilling life on and off screen and stage, Tony leaves a daughter and three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all.”
The family extended heartfelt thanks to the NHS staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital for their “incredible care during his final hours,” as well as to everyone at Eastbourne Gardens Nursing Home, who had provided “care and compassion” over the past two months. Their statement concluded with a request for privacy “at this extremely difficult time.”
Caunter’s death comes just days after the loss of his wife Frances, whom he married in 1962. The couple’s enduring partnership was a source of strength throughout Caunter’s life and career. According to BBC News, their marriage spanned more than six decades, and together they raised four children—one daughter and three sons—who, along with seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, survive him.
Born in Southampton in 1937, Tony Caunter’s career in television and theatre spanned more than fifty years. Before achieving national fame as Roy Evans, he built a formidable résumé with appearances in some of Britain’s most beloved television series. His early credits include roles in Doctor Who—where he appeared in three separate serials, including “The Crusade,” “Colony in Space,” and “Enlightenment”—as well as stints on Z-Cars, Blake’s 7, The Sweeney, Casualty, Coronation Street, The Avengers, Minder, and Queenie’s Castle. He also starred in 57 episodes of the football drama United! and played Deputy Chief Constable Arthur Quine in ITV’s The Chief.
Caunter’s most celebrated role came in 1994, when he joined the cast of EastEnders as Roy Evans, a car dealer with a heart of gold and a complex personal life. Over the next nine years, he became one of the soap’s most beloved characters, forming a memorable on-screen partnership with Pam St Clement’s Pat Butcher. Their characters’ wedding in 1996 was a highlight for many fans, and the couple’s relationship remained central to the show until Roy’s dramatic exit in 2003, when he died of a second heart attack.
The role of Roy Evans offered Caunter the chance to tackle challenging storylines, including one about male infertility. In a 1999 interview with The Guardian, Caunter revealed, “My four children were fans of the show before I was. In fact, it was my daughter Sarah who came up with the idea that Roy was infertile because of the guilt that he was having an affair when his wife went into early labour and died.” He added, “Pam and I and the writers had discussed the impotence storyline a long time before Viagra came along. We had pulled away thinking, ‘We can’t discuss this too much at 7.30 in the evening.’ But the present management was happy to take hold of it. It’s given Pat and Roy some of the best storylines yet.”
During his time on EastEnders, Caunter’s character was at the heart of several headline-making plotlines. According to BBC News, these included Pat Butcher’s affair with her ex-husband Frank Butcher, played by Mike Reid, and the shocking episode in which Roy’s on-screen son Barry Evans, portrayed by Shaun Williamson, was pushed off a cliff. Caunter’s nuanced performances brought warmth and depth to Roy, making him a firm favorite with viewers.
In addition to his work on EastEnders, Caunter appeared in acclaimed television dramas such as Pennies From Heaven, Tumbledown, Juliet Bravo, and Boon, where he acted alongside fellow EastEnders star Michael Elphick. His final acting credit came in 2008 with an appearance in the medical drama Doctors, after which he retired from acting.
Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry. EastEnders itself released a moving statement: “Tony will forever be loved and respected by everyone at EastEnders for his warmth, kindness and humour as well as being greatly remembered by all those at home who instantly took Roy to their hearts. Roy will always be remembered for his great love of Pat, despite him famously declaring his distaste in her choice of earrings, which gave us all one of Walford’s greatest love affairs. Tony will never be forgotten by all those who worked alongside him for many years and everyone at EastEnders sends their love and condolences to Tony’s family and friends.”
Caunter’s legacy as an actor is matched by the affection with which he was held by colleagues and fans alike. His ability to bring warmth, humor, and a sense of genuine humanity to his roles made him a cherished presence on screen. As noted by BBC News, “Tony will forever be loved and respected by everyone at EastEnders for his warmth, kindness and humour as well as being greatly remembered by all those at home who instantly took Roy to their hearts.”
Away from the spotlight, Caunter was known to have kept his personal life private, enjoying a quiet retirement in Worthing, East Sussex. His family, who were instrumental in shaping some of his most memorable storylines, remained a constant source of support throughout his long career.
As fans and friends remember Tony Caunter, his contributions to British television and the joy he brought to millions will not soon be forgotten. His performances, especially as Roy Evans, will continue to resonate with viewers for generations to come.
