Crossroads character Sandy Richardson will pass peacefully out of the top television series.

 

There will be just one "gentle and moving" reference to his death by his TV mother Meg Richardson - actress Noele Gordon - in a couple of months time.

 

The decision follows the death from cancer last week of young actor Roger Tonge who played Sandy in the chart-topping serial for 17 years.

 

Producer Jack Barton explained:  "We didn't want to cause any distress to his family or in any way exploit the situation."

 

Reference to Sandy in episodes already recorded and still to be screened, have now been edited out.