"Vale dear friend": McLeod's Daughters actor tragically drowns
Australian actor Peter Hardy, 66, has been revealed as the victim who drowned at Fremantle beach.
He died as a result of a snorkeling incident, The West Australian reported.
The actor played Jimmy Drane in three episodes of the iconic Aussie soap Neighbours in 1997 but is best known for his roles in McLeod’s Daughters and crime drama Chopper.
According to The West Australian, the 66-year-old had travelled to Perth from London to visit his mother after building a home in the UK, The West Australian reported.
His brother Michael shared the tragic news on social media, “I'm devastated to say that my brother, Peter Hardy, passed away suddenly this morning... Rest in Peace my beloved little brother.”
Tributes have started flooding in following the announcement.
“This news is such a heartbreaking shock. He'll be held in the wide arms of the ocean he grow up beside, and in the hearts of all those he welcomed into his vital and witty orbit. Sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” Ross Anderson wrote.
Hardy’s friend Andy Burns said, “On the morning of March 16th a dear friend was taken from us... the amazing and beautiful Peter Hardy drowned while snorkelling at South Beach Perth.”
“He was 66 years old and looked like a Greek god, so fit, and so happy to be back in his native WA visiting from London where he had made his home.
“Words cannot express how deeply I feel this loss, We've been close friends since living together in Neutral Bay Sydney in the mid 80s.
“He was a superb actor a wonderful singer and guitarist he also played drums and sax. He always loved performing in the theatre as well as film and TV. He decided to buy a canal boat in London which he set up beautifully with some recording gear and he'd send me guitar tracks recorded there to add backings to.
“Heartfelt condolences to all his family and many friends over this devastating loss especially his beautiful girlfriend Lysa our thoughts are with you…
“Vale dear friend Peter Hardy RIP... Adele and I are inconsolable right now over such a hard loss.”
Richard had graced the screens as a season regular in McLeod’s Daughters as character Phil Rakich, a farm hand on a South Australian farm, ahead of its final episode in 2009.
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