Still Game director Michael Hines announced the tragic news of the Auld Eric actor on X/Twitter

Still Game star Jimmy Martin has died aged 93, it has been announced.

Director of the show, Michael Hines, announced the tragic news on Twitter/X. He wrote about the Auld Eric star: “Just to let all the Still Game fans out there know that Jimmy Martin ‘Eric’ passed away today. He was a wonderful actor and I was honoured to call him a pal.”

Fans immediately rushed to the comment section to pay tribute to the “beloved actor”. Reminiscing about the show, one user said: “My favourite in the show. Especially the bit he’s talking about taking a pish when jack and Victor are trying to eat their soup.” Another said: “Eric was always my favourite. A side character that became more than that due to the skill of the actor.”

One user commented: “Brilliant actor god bless his soul!!! Rest easy you legend!!!” A representative for Red Shoe Entertainment shared a statement on Facebook: “We are deeply saddened to share the news that Jimmy Martin, the beloved actor known for playing Eric in Still Game, has passed away.

The director shared a photo with his announcement

“His warmth, humour, and unforgettable performances brought joy to so many, and his legacy will live on through the laughter he shared with the world. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Jimmy.” They signed off with ‘Red Shoe Entertainment’.

Jimmy – who served time in the Royal Navy when he was young – received a British Empire Medal months before his death. His daughter said at the time: “We are wondering if they maybe have a translator at Buckingham Palace because I can’t image Camilla and Charles are very fluent in Craiglang. But dad is totally delighted and so are we. It’s absolutely great for him to be recognised like this.”

His time in the navy saw him on board HMS Bermuda, a ship that took him to the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal during the crisis. He also had a career that spanned firefighting.

Jimmy appeared in 47 of the series alongside Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan between 2002 and 2018. He was the few people in the show who was actually a pensioner when the beloved series began.

However, his character was killed off in the eighth series. The actor was born in Glasgow and lived for a long while in East Lothian.

Along with Still Game, Jimmy co-starred in short films Relatively PC and Relative Confusion. He made a short appearance in Lovesick and had a role in Just Another Saturday. Before Still Game, he was a helper at Campie Primary School’s after school club.