They went on to explain that Francis’ voicing of the Captain Scarlet character had been groundbreaking at the time, as he had retained his British accent for the role when American accents were more desirable at the time.
In addition to his work with ‘Captain Scarlet’, Francis also played the title character in the TV detective series ‘Paul Matthews’, and later fronted ‘Follow Me!’, an educational BBC show intended to help viewers learn English.
He married actress Angela Browne in 1963, though she passed away in 2001. The couple had three sons, Damien, Paul and Dominic.
RIP: Celebrities We've Lost In 2014
Roger Lloyd Pack(01 of19)
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Actor Roger Lloyd Pack died on 15 January 2014 at the age 69 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. (credit:PA)
Kate O'Mara(02 of19)
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'Dynasty' star Kate O'Mara died at the age of 74 on 30 March 2014. (credit:PA)
Peaches Geldof(03 of19)
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Peaches Geldof was found dead at her Kent home on 7 April 2014. (credit:PA)
L'Wren Scott(04 of19)
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L'Wren Scott, fashion designer and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger's longtime girlfriend, was found dead in NYC on 17 March 2014 of an apparent suicide. (credit:Getty)
HR Giger(05 of19)
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HR Giger, the artist who created the 'Alien' movie monster, died at the age of 74 on 12 May 2014. (credit:Derek Storm/Splash News)
Bob Hoskin(06 of19)
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Bob Hoskins died on 29 April 2014. After his death, his daughter penned a touching blog detailing lessons she learnt from her father. (credit:PA)
Edna Doré(07 of19)
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'EastEnders' actress Edna Doré died age 92 on 11 April 2014. (credit:Dave Hogan via Getty Images)
Mickey Rooney(08 of19)
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Mickey Rooneyv died in his sleep from natural causes on 6 April 2013. He was 93. (credit:Getty Images)
Frankie Knuckles(09 of19)
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House music DJ Frankie Knuckles died at the of 59 on 31 March 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Clarissa Dickson Wright(10 of19)
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Clarissa Dickson Wright died on 15 March 2014 at the age of 66. (credit:PA)
Harold Ramis(11 of19)
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Comedy legend Harold Ramis died on 24 February 2014. He was 69. (credit:Getty)
Shirley Temple(12 of19)
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Iconic child star Shirley Temple died on 10 February 2014 in California. Her cause of death was not released. She was 85. (credit:AP)
Philip Seymour Hoffman(13 of19)
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Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead of an apparent heroin overdose on 2 February 2014 in New York City. He was 46 years old. (credit:Getty)
Phil Everly(14 of19)
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Musician Phil Everly, of the Everly Brothers, died aged 74 in California on 3 January 2014. (credit:PA)
Dora Bryan(15 of19)
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English actress Dora Bryan died in July, aged 91. (credit:Baron via Getty Images)
Christopher Malcolm(16 of19)
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The 'Ab Fab' and 'Rocky Horror' star died in February, aged 67. (credit:Rex)
Elaine Stritch(17 of19)
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The legendary star of stage and screen died in her sleep in July, at the age of 89. (credit:HONDA STAN HONDA/PA Archive)
Robin Williams(18 of19)
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Robin Williams tragically took his own life this year, at the age of 63. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
Lauren Bacall(19 of19)
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Actress and model Lauren Bacall died after suffering a stroke in August 2014, at the age of 89. (credit:RICH SCHMITT via Getty Images)
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