Michael Angelis, best known as the long-term narrator of “Thomas the Tank Engine” series “Thomas and Friends,” has died at the age of 76, his agent said. The actor died suddenly while at home with his wife on Saturday. Angelis lent his voice to the children’s TV program for 13 series, taking over from “Ringo Starr” in 1991, when the program was called “Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.” He was best known to adult audiences for his role as Arnie in “September Song,” Martin Niarchos in “GBH,” Lucien Boswell in “The Liver Birds” and Mickey Startup in “Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.” He also made appearances in “Casualty,” “The Bill,” “Holby City” and “Heartbeat.” Born in Liverpool, Angelis first appeared on screen in the 1970s in program such as “Z Cars,” “Thirty-Minute Theater” and an episode of “Coronation Street,” before stints in “Minder,” “World’s End” and “Boys From the Blackstuff.” (SD-Agencies) | 