Tributes paid to popular writer

Mr Hadaway's plays have been widely performed

Leading north-east of England playwright Tom Hadaway has died.

He was visiting family in Belfast when he suffered a stroke a week ago and died in hospital on Thursday, two weeks short of his 82nd birthday.

His family, including his wife Barbara, had been at his side all week and made the announcement through the Live Theatre, in Newcastle.

Mr Hadaway's plays won acclaim and he was perhaps best known for his work on 1970s series When The Boat Comes In.

Mr Hadaway was born on 18 March, 1923 in North Shields, North Tyneside.

The Live Theatre expressed its sadness at the news and sympathies for Mr Hadaway's family.

Sorely missed

Artistic director Max Roberts said: "There is so much I could say about Tom.

"I have lost a dear, dear friend and someone who shaped not only my career and artistic life but also those of hundreds of others through his writing for the stage and for TV and radio.

"He will be missed by all who knew him and worked with him in the performing arts community."

Actor Tim Healy said: "He's going to be sorely missed.

"He was a huge part of my life, he wrote the first stuff I did as a young actor. He was the finest playwright of all time. He was a dear friend and I'm going to miss him a lot."