World Productions founder Tony Garrett dies aged 83

Tony Garnett (ITV/Shutterstock)

World Productions’ founder Tony Garnett has died at the age of 83.

Garnett worked on dramas such as Cathy Come Home and Kes for the BBC during his early career, before moving to Hollywood during the 1980s where he was behind films such as Follow That Bird.

He launched World Productions in 1990 with the company acquired by ITV in 2017. The prodco confirmed his death on Twitter.

“After a short illness, Tony Garnett, the legendary TV & film producer and founder of World Productions, died around midday on January 12.

“Tony was a great man and an inspirational producer who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.”

Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio was among those to pay tribute, describing Garnett as “an inspirational figure who’ll be greatly missed. They don’t make ’em like him any more.”