THERE'S A GREAT MAGNUM P.I....:

The Avengers ran from 1961 to 1969 in Britain and was shown in the US from 1966.

The "spy-fi" show made the cold war seem somewhat enjoyable and presented espionage as a glam, swinging 60s accessory.

"What sort of fiend are we dealing with?" said the quintessentially English Steed in one episode. "A man who would bite the end off a cigar is capable of anything!"

Macnee nearly lost the role of bowler-hatted Steed because of his aversion to violence. In a 1997 interview he recalled being told by producers that he would have to use a gun on the show.

"I said, 'No, I don't. I've been in World War II for five years and I've seen most of my friends blown to bits and I'm not going to carry a gun.' They said: 'What are you going to carry?' I thought frantically and said: 'An umbrella.'"

As well as Macnee and Diana Rigg, The Avengers - and its 1970s reboot The New Avengers - also made stars of Honor Blackman, Joanna Lumley, Linda Thorson, Gareth Hunt and Ian Hendry.

Follow @brothersjudd