PROLIFIC stage and television actor Glyn Owen, whose career spanned 50 years, has died at the age of 76, his wife said today.

Bolton-born Owen was probably best known for his role as Jack Rolfe in Howard's Way, a sailing soap opera filmed around Hamble and the Solent.

His character was one of the owners of the Mermaid boatyard, which was in fact the Elephant boatyard on the River Hamble. He played a whisky-drinking likeable boatbuilder who was one of the old school, believing boats should be built in the traditional wooden way.

He also played Dr Paddy O'Mara in Emergency Ward 10, one of the first big soap operas on television.

Mr Owen died at home in north Wales surrounded by his family following a short illness.

Speaking from their home near Caernarvon, his wife Carrie paid tribute to his career, which included some 600 television appearances.

She said: "It was a cancer-related illness and we had the family with us which was wonderful. He was a fantastic husband and a great father. He was kind to everybody. He adored his profession.

"He did love his dogs. He adored his animals."

On his recent illness, she added: "He put up with a hell of a lot and went through it with great dignity."

Owen also leaves two children, Cathy, 36, and Lloyd, 38 - also an actor who currently stars in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen.

Lloyd, who has two children, took time off from filming to be with his father in his last days.

Among his starring roles, Owen played Richard Hurst in The Rat Catchers and Hugo in Richard the Lionheart in 1962.

In the 1960s, he was seen in the Trouble Shooters, Thorndyke and The Saint.

More recently, he appeared in popular television shows such as Casualty, Heartbeat, Juliet Bravo, Doctor Who and Survivors.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be made but are likely to be for next weekend.