Actor Terrence Hardiman, best known for playing The Demon Headmaster, has died at the age of 86.

Mr Hardiman's death was announced on Tuesday by his agents Scott Marshall Partners, which described him as a "beloved client and much-loved stage and screen actor".

He was known to terrify generations of children for playing the title role in CBBC series The Demon Headmaster, the TV series based on the children's books of the same name by Gillian Cross.

His character, the demonic headmaster, had piercing green eyes which he hid behind dark glasses - only to remove them when he hypnotised his victims.

The show ended in 1998 after it ran for three seasons but Mr Hardiman reprised his role for a cameo following a CBBC reboot in 2019.

The stage and screen star also appeared in TV series such as The Crown, Wallander, Doctor Who and Prime Suspect.

He also appeared in Colditz, Secret Army, Bergerac and Minder.

Mr Hardiman is survived by his wife Rowena and his two children.