ACTOR ANTHONY HEAD, best known for his roles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, has died at the age of 72, his daughters said in a statement.

The British star was best known as librarian Rupert Giles in the cult US supernatural TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, which ran from 1997 to 2003.

A statement from his daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head said: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father, Anthony Head.”

“It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many,” the family statement read.

“We know how dearly he will be missed by friends, colleagues and fans of the shows he was in – he loved his job very much, and he always considered himself incredibly lucky, to have been able to work alongside such exceptionally talented people, in such wonderful productions, across a career that spanned several decades.

“Our grief is far greater than the hole he has left behind, but we know his legacy will live on, in the shows he was a part of, and in the audiences that love them. How lucky we are to know we are able to watch him doing what he loved, even when he is no longer with us.”

Most recently, Head played former Richmond FC owner Rupert Mannion, the ex-husband of Hannah Waddingham’s character Rebecca, in football comedy Ted Lasso.

Anthony Head. Steve Parsons Steve Parsons

His other notable roles were the Prime Minister in Little Britain and Uther Pendragon in Merlin, the father of Prince Arthur.

Known for his distinctive baritone voice, Head first rose to fame in the UK in the 1980s in the Nescafe Gold Blend television adverts.

He was one half of the Gold Blend couple, alongside Sharon Maughan, who began a slow-burning romance over a cup of coffee.

The ads, which ran from 1987 to 1993, are one of the best-known examples of serialised advertising.

Head’s role in Buffy made him famous in the United States, but he left the regular cast during the show’s sixth season, only appearing as a guest star until the series concluded.

He also acted in Motherland, Manchild, Silent Witness, Spooks and Doctor Who.

In July 2018 joined the cast of BBC Radio 4 long-running drama The Archers, playing Robin Fairbrother.

He was also a singer, appearing in the West End and recording music, including the album of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode, as well as solo endeavours.

Head’s long-time partner, animal welfare campaigner Sarah Fisher, died in December 2025 aged 61.

Their daughters, Emily and Daisy, are both actresses.