Nicholas Ball, known for his role in EastEnders, has passed away at 78 after playing a character who assaulted a TV legend.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of actor Nicholas Ball's passing on Thursday. The beloved EastEnders star, best known for his role as gangster Terry Bates in the popular BBC soap, has died at the age of 78. He first graced our screens as Terry in 2007 and captivated audiences for two years with his captivating performance. Some of his most memorable scenes included his violent encounter with iconic landlady Peggy Mitchell at the Queen Vic pub.

But his talent extended beyond EastEnders as he also took on the role of a football club chairman in the hit ITV drama Footballers' Wives. In a statement from his agent, it was revealed that Ball had "passed away following a short illness" and that his "successful acting career on stage and screen spanned an impressive six decades."

On Albert Square, Terry was introduced as the leader of a gang that included Jase Dyer, the father of Jay Brown. Terry's actions ultimately led to Jase's death, which devastated the community. In a dramatic turn of events, Terry and his gang attacked several residents of Walford, including Peggy and her family, as well as other beloved characters like Keith, Mickey, Darren, Garry, Minty, Patrick, and Yolande.

In the following year, Terry and his gang were responsible for the brutal beating of Jase, a storyline that also saw Billy hiding in the bathroom out of fear. Ball's last appearance on the show was during Terry's trial, where he was found guilty of Jase's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 2019, it was revealed that Terry had died in prison at the age of 74.

Outside of Walford, Ball made appearances in popular shows like Heartbeat and The Young Ones. His final role was in the rural drama The Kingdom By The Sea, alongside Coronation Street actress Rula Lenska. He is survived by his widow, Ayda.

Despite his villainous role on EastEnders, Ball was a beloved and respected actor who will be greatly missed by his fans and colleagues. If you have a soap or TV story, video, or pictures, reach out to us via email - we would love to hear from you. Join our community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. Additionally, for the latest spoilers, gossip, and exclusive interviews, join our WhatsApp Soaps community with over 10,000 fans. Simply click on the link and select "Join Chat" to become a part of the conversation. Don't forget to turn on notifications, so you never miss out on the latest updates.

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