Dale Winton dead: WATCH him in Downton Abbey spoof and TRAINSPOTTING

Dale Winton’s death was revealed earlier today by his agent. The star was 62.

Jan Kennedy said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of Dale Winton who died at home earlier today.

“While we know many will share this terrible loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this time of grief.”

No further details have been released.

Although he found great fame and an adoring fanbase as the host of Supermarket Sweep, the British entertainer occasionally dabbled in acting.

Winton featured in a deliciously tongue in cheek spoof of Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs on Comic Relief.

Playing a version of the gay footman Thomas, Winton clearly relished the chance to play with some naughty innuendo.

WATCH THE TRAINSPOTTING (WARNING: DISTURBING IMAGES AND DRUG USE) AND DOWNTON ABBEY SCENES NEXT 

After years of speculation, Winton, himself, officially came out as a gay man in his 2002 autobiography.

During one scene of the 2011 Red Nose Day special, he serves the final course and leans into a male guest and purrs: “Cake, sir… You put in your mouth and chew…”

He also banters with Olivia Coleman’s bitter fellow servant and asks her: “Why are you so mean? I mean, I love it, but why?”

Dale also had great fun on the French and Saunders Lord of the Rings spoof, playing the wizard Saruman.

In a very different role, he was perfectly cast as the gameshow host who appears to a hallucianting Renton (Ewan McGregor) in Trainspotting.

Despite the apparently bright and playful gameshow setting, the bizarre and unsettling scene features questions about sexual health and HIV.