Sir John Gielgud, one of the greatest British actors of his generation has died today aged 96. A master of Shakespearian roles, he died at his home near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

He was the last of a generation of classical actors, including Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson and Peggy Ashcroft, who dominated British theatre from the 1930s to the 1970s.

Sir John continued working until recently. Failing health had seen him take a break from acting in the past month. Former agent Laurence Evans said the cause of death was thought simply to be old age.

Even in his 90s, Sir John was still known for his wit and charm. Last year, a critic who saw him in a theatre described him as "at once a frail and a tremendous figure". His biographer Sheridan Morley said: "He was the greatest actor and his life was exactly the history of British theatre in the last century. He was born in 1904 and was on stage by 1917. He was the last of an amazing single generation of classical actors and he was the final survivor.