Tributes are flooding in for actor Frank Whitten - best known as Grandpa on Outrageous Fortune who has died aged 68 after a battle with cancer.
Whitten's career spanned three decades - including roles in the movies Peter Pan and Vigil.
He also appeared on the Speights ‘Southern Man' advertisements, delivering the iconic line "good onya mate".
South Pacific Pictures chief executive, John Barnett, says Whitten and Grandpa were often the same person:
“In the role, Frank played it with intelligence and a perfect understanding of what he had to do. In that sense he was a very professional actor.”
Co-star Robyn Malcolm enjoyed the sense of charm Whitten brought to the role.
“Ted West was a gentleman underneath it all, and so was Frank, and they both had incredibly naughty senses of humour,” she said.
“They both lived outside the box a bit. I think Frank had an unconvential life by today’s standards, I don’t think there are many people like Frank.”
Whitten's family will hold a small, private funeral service this week.
RadioLIVE