Sir Antony Jay had a 'long illness'

Yes Minister co-creator Sir Antony Jay has died at the age of 86.

A statement from his representative confirmed that he died peacefully on Sunday evening after a long illness, surrounded by his wife and family.

Jay wrote the 1980s BBC television series, starring Paul Eddington and Sir Nigel Hawthorne, with Jonathan Lynn.

He had previously been a broadcaster in the BBC's current affairs department.

Yes Minister, which ran for three series between 1980 and 1984, revolved around the battles James Hacker, minister for administrative affairs, had with loquacious   civil servant Sir Humphrey Appleby. It was followed by Yes, Prime Minister from 1986 to 1988.

A stage version ran in the West End in  2010, which was spun off into a new TV series for Gold in 2013.

Jay also founded the Video Arts training film production company with John Cleese in 1972, which was sold to its management for £43million in 1989.

He was created a Knight Bachelor in 1988, and wrote the BBC TV documentaries Royal Family and Elizabeth R: A Year in the Life of the Queen, for which he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for personal services to the Royal Family.

Published: 23 Aug 2016