'Keeping Up Appearances' actor Clive Swift has died at the age of 82, his agent has confirmed.

In a statement, his family said he passed away at home following a short illness.

In a career spanning six decades, Swift was best known for playing Richard Bucket - the long-suffering husband of Hyacinth Bucket - in the British comedy.

The BBC series mocked class obsessions and ran for five years in the 1990s, with Swift appearing in 42 episodes.

Patricia Routledge, who played his class-obsessed wife, became known for her pronunciation of her surname ("it's Bouquet").

The controller of BBC comedy, Shane Allen, said: "Clive was a very highly-regarded character actor with a long and distinguished career.

"His role as Richard Bucket brought huge audiences and great affection in one of the all-time classic sitcoms."

We're sad to hear that Clive Swift, star of many BBC shows including Keeping Up Appearances, has died. pic.twitter.com/ssfXHT5Xdo

— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) February 1, 2019

After the show finished, Swift continued to have an active career and was last credited with an on screen appearance in 2017.

He began his career with a number of small roles in the late 1960s, moving into his first television roles in the 1970s.

Swift appeared in the 2007 'Doctor Who' Christmas special.

He had a daughter Rebecca, who passed away in 2017.

Swift is survived by two sons - Adam, a university academic, and Joe, a garden designer.