The Australian actor, director and musical theatre star has passed away just short of his 89th birthday.

The Australian actor, singer and director who shot to fame after playing the king  in the BBC’s iconic 1970’s production The Six Wives of Henry VIII has passed away at the age of 88. A statement from his family said he died peacefully at his home in Hampstead, north London. “We will miss him hugely,” they said, “He has been a great influence in all our lives, creatively, artistically, musically.”

Michell was born in Adelaide, the son of a cabinet maker, and brought up in Warnertown, near Port Pirie. He studied at Adelaide Teachers’ College and Adelaide University and made his first stage appearance while still a teacher in Bill Daily’s comedy Lover’s Leap at Adelaide’s Playbox theatre in 1947.

In 1949, Michell left for England to study at the Old Vic Theatre School and launched his British career in 1951. His matinee idol looks and strong baritone voice saw him find fame and fortune in a string of West End musicals beginning with Peter Brook’s 1958 production of Marguerite Monnot’s musical tale of a Parisian prostitute, Irma La Douce. In 1964 he...