Warren Clarke starred in 11 series of a hugely popular BBC programme, and his distinguished prime-time television career encompassed Dalziel and Pascoe and Poldark. Yet Warren Clarke left behind an estate of just £13,056, which was whittled down to £0 once outstanding debts had been cleared.

The Oldham-born actor passed away aged 67, but throughout his lifetime, he frequently spoke candidly about the meagre salaries paid to BBC television actors. His wife, Michele, was at one point compelled to sell her engagement ring simply to cover the bills. He revealed in an interview: "In those days, the BBC didn't pay you until you had done the first studio recording, so I had been working on the show for two months without any money. I went to the cashpoint, put my card in the machine, and it spat it out.

"A few months later, I noticed that my wife wasn't wearing her engagement ring. I asked her where it was, and she explained it was being repaired."

According to the Daily Mail, Warren was believed to have lost a considerable sum after investing in a spy thriller, The Numbers Station, starring John Cusack, which bombed after being branded 'glum'.

Clarke's most celebrated role was as the forthright detective Andrew Dalziel, alongside Colin Buchanan as Pascoe for 11 years. His final role was as Charles Poldark in the BBC period drama alongside Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington.

Clarke also featured in several landmark film roles, most notably as Dim in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange.

He also starred in Sleepers in 1991 alongside Nigel Havers and featured in several acclaimed dramas, including Bleak House and The Invisibles on the BBC.

In a poignant twist of fate, his character's on-screen death in Poldark was actually aired after the actor had passed away in real life. He died peacefully in his sleep in November 2014, following a brief illness.