Wilde was also known for his role as kindly prison warder Barraclough in Porridge
He died suddenly in his sleep at his Hertfordshire home on Thursday morning, his agent Nick Young said.
Young told the BBC: ‘He will be sadly missed by colleagues and family alike. He brought a great deal of laughter into many people's lives.
‘He was shaky the last few days but nobody expected this. He went to bed and didn't wake up.’
Wilde's son Andrew told the Press Association his father suffered a fall seven weeks ago and had not recovered.
Wilde's Last of the Summer Wine co-star Peter Sallis said: ‘He was great fun to be with and to work with so I'm very, very sorry to hear the news.’
Lancashire-born Wilde started his comedy career in the Sixties, supporting Tony Hancock in episodes of his 1963 ATV series and taking minor roles in films such as Carry On Doctor
His first major television success was in 1970 as depot manager Bloody Delilah in the ITV sitcom The Dustbinmen, but he got his big break in Porridge in 1973.
He joined Last Of The Summer Wine in 1976, and left in 1985 – only to return five years later. He quit for good in 1997, initially because of ill health, although he quickly recovered.
