The actor who portrayed Zoltan Chivay in The Witcher series of games has died

Alexander Morton, the Scottish actor probably best known for starring in British comedy drama Monarch of the Glen - but known to me for being the hilariously foul-mouthed dwarf Zoltan Chivay in The Witcher 2 and The Witcher 3 - has died aged 81.

The Witcher game maker CD Projekt Red offered its condolences this afternoon, writing on Instagram that: "We're deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Alexander Morton, the voice of beloved Zoltan Chivay in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

"Thank you for bringing Zoltan to life. The Continent is already missing you."

Morton, who played Golly Mackenzie in Monarch of the Glen and appeared in all 64 episodes of the show, also had notable roles in TV shows Take the High Road and Taggart, if you can remember that far back. He also appeared more recently in Luther and Shetland. But he was no stranger to video games.

Morton is credited as being The Puppeteer in LittleBigPlanet Vita, Old Father Oak in Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Which, and for performing more miscellaneous voices in Killzone 2, Fable 2, Age of Conan, Viking: Battle for Asgard, and Heavenly Sword.

However, it's Zoltan Chivay in The Witcher series of games that's his most prominent role, as one of lead character Geralt's most trusted friends and allies in both adventures - and, very often, a source of unflinching, unbuttered, and sometimes unwanted advice.