Actor and writer Colin Welland dies

Oscar-winning writer and actor Colin Welland has died aged 81 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years, the BBC reports quoting his family as saying.

Welland won an Oscar for best original screenplay for Chariots of Fire in 1982.

He famously used his acceptance speech to announce: "The British are coming!"

As an actor, he won a Bafta for playing the sympathetic English teacher Mr Farthing in Ken Loach's Kes in 1969.

He had found fame earlier that decade when he played PC David Graham in TV police serial Z Cars.
In a statement released via his literary agent Anthony Jones, his family said: "Colin will be desperately missed by his family and friends.

"Alzheimer's is a cruel illness and there have been difficult times but in the end Colin died peacefully in his sleep.

"We are proud of Colin's many achievements during his life but most of all he will be missed as a loving and generous friend, husband, father and granddad."

Welland, who died on Monday, is survived by his wife Patricia, four children and six grandchildren.