THE Amlwch actor who achieved worldwide fame through his role as Spartacus has lost his battle with cancer aged 39.
Andy Whitfield, the star US TV drama Spartacus: Blood and Sand, died on Sunday surrounded by his family in Sydney, Australia.
He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma 18 months ago.
His wife, Vashti, paid tribute to him, describing him as "our beautiful young warrior".
She said: "On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18-month battle with lymphoma cancer.
"He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have helped carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was."
Whitfield played the title role in the 13 episodes first season that was screened last year. He was forced to pull out of the second series shortly before filming started.
Andy’s parents, Robert and Pat, still live in Bull Bay, Amlwch.
Mr and Mrs Whitfield moved to Anglesey from Lancashire when Andy was four. The former Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones pupil showed a keen interest in football, turning out for Amlwch Town’s youth sides.
Andy moved to Sydney in 1999 to work as an engineer on the Olympic stadium while doing part time acting and modelling work.
He later found success on Australian TV show MacLoed’s Daughters and the supernatural thriller Gabriel.
Speaking to the Chronicle last year, Mr Whitfield said he was proud of his son’s acting achievements.
He said: “We tend to be quite reserved about it, but I have a quiet admiration for him."
Neighbour Gordon Warren has known the Whitfield family since he came to Bull Bay in 1982, and added that his son Alex was a childhood friend to the actor.
“He was lovely. Andy loved his kids and he and Vashti were so wrapped up in each other. They’re a lovely family.”
Gordon’s wife Alix said that neighbours felt a sense of loss and deep sympathy for Pat and Bob.
“He’d just reached stardom and was becoming internationally known, and then it’s all snatched away,” she said.
Mr Warren said that Andy kept in regular contact with Alex for the last two years, as the actor looked to Indian medicine.
“He faced it all with astonishing courage,” he added.
“Andy said that he never gave up hope of a miracle.”
Mr Warren said that neighbours had started a collection to send flowers to Andy’s funeral, which will be held in Australia tomorrow.