The actor has died aged 66 (Picture: IMDB)
Neighbours actor Peter Hardy has died at the age of 66 after drowning in Fremantle near Perth, Western Australia.
According to The West Australian, Hardy travelled to Perth from London to visit his mother.
He is believed to have been snorkelling at South Beach in Fremantle when he ran into trouble.
Bystanders at the beach in Perth desperately tried to save the late star’s life by performing CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene.
Emergency crews were unable to save the actor’s life and he died at the scene
Hardy played Jimmy Drane in three episodes of the hit soap in 1997, but his notable role was in the 2000 film McLeod’s Daughters and Chopper.
The actor was sadly found dead on a beach in Australia after he drowned in Fremantle (Picture: IMBD)
Sharing the news on Friday, Hardy’s brother, Michael, said: ‘I’m devastated to say that my brother, Peter Hardy, passed away suddenly this morning.
‘Rest in Peace my beloved little brother.’
Tributes have since poured in for the actor, with Hardy’s friend writing: ‘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.
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‘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.’
Another friend, Ross Anderson, added: ‘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.’
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The late actor played Jimmy Drane in Neighbours in 1997.