British screenwriter/producer Brian Clemens has died, aged 83.

Clemens passed away on Saturday (10Jan15), and the cause of his death was not disclosed as Wenn went to press.

His son George tells the Bbc, "He was a true inspiration... The world has lost a really great man who has given so much."

Clemens, a former weapons training instructor in the British Army, is best known for writing and producing episodes of 1960s spy Tv series The Avengers and co-creating its follow-up series The New Avengers, which began in 1976.

He also created, produced and wrote for hit British crime drama series The Professionals from 1977 to 1983 and the updated 1990s version Ci5: The New Professionals.

Clemens is also credited with writing episodes for British Tv series Danger Man, The Protectors, and Bergerac, U.S. Tv shows Remington Steele and Highlander, plus movies including Mia Farrow's See No Evil and family adventure The Golden Voyage of Sinbad.

He was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Obe) in 2010 for his services to broadcasting and drama.