David Soul, who won cult status for his role in 1970s TV series Starsky & Hutch before topping the charts with his hit ‘Don’t Give Up On Us’, has died at the age of 80.

His heartbroken wife Helen Snell said the British-American star had passed away surrounded by his family following a ‘valiant battle for life’.

She said in a statement: ‘David Soul – beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother – died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family.

‘He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend. His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.’

Soul played Detective Ken ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser’s Detective Dave Starsky. The pair remained friends, and in 2017 Glaser was seen pushing his old co-star on a wheelchair into the Comic Con in Liverpool.

Soul married five times and leaves behind five sons and a daughter. He first wed the actress Miriam ‘Mim’ Solberg in 1964, but this lasted only a year.

Further unions followed with Karen Carlson, who he met on the set of TV series Here Come the Brides; Patti Carnel Sherman, the ex-wife of 1960s pop idol Bobby Sherman; and the actress Julia NIckson.

Soul described how he ‘fell in love’ with Britain after spending time there for work and lived in Maida Vale for many years – becoming a dedicated Arsenal fan. He gained citizenship in 2004. He met Helen Snell, a PR executive, in 2002 on the stage production of Deathtrap and they married in 2010.

Glaser is now aged 80 and an abstract artist. He is also honorary chairman of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The charity is named in honour of his first wife, who died after contracting HIV through a blood transfusion while giving birth to their first child, Ariel, who also died aged seven.

David Soul has died aged 80, his wife Helen Snell announced this afternoon in a heartfelt statement
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David Soul has died aged 80, his wife Helen Snell announced this afternoon in a heartfelt statement

David Soul as Hutch alongside Paul Michael Glaser as Starsky in season three of Starsky and Hutch
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David Soul as Hutch alongside Paul Michael Glaser as Starsky in season three of Starsky and Hutch

Soul met Helen Snell, a PR executive, in 2002 on the stage production of Deathtrap and they married in 2010. They're seen together in London in 2015
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Soul met Helen Snell, a PR executive, in 2002 on the stage production of Deathtrap and they married in 2010. They’re seen together in London in 2015

in 2017 Glaser was seen pushing his old co-star on a wheelchair into the Comic Con in Liverpool

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in 2017 Glaser was seen pushing his old co-star on a wheelchair into the Comic Con in Liverpool

There was a flood of tributes to Soul on social media today, with the actor hailed as a ‘bright light and an inspiration’.

Star Trek actor William Shatner shared on social media: ‘Condolences to the family of David Soul. One of his early roles was on an episode of Star Trek Original Series.’

Supermodel Carol Alt told DailyMail.com: ‘I grew up with the handsome David Soul starring in Starsky & Hutch. That show was a weekly staple thanks to David, who had real star power and a strong presence. I loved his character. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing.’

Singer Nikki Lund – who sang You & I with Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi – posted: ‘He was such a bright light and an inspiration for so many singers. And he was the meaning of masculine charm in the 1970s that still has an impact today. I am really sad he is no longer with us.’

Jonathan Cheban, aka FoodGod from Keeping Up With The Kardashians, remarked: ‘His loss will be felt. I mean, he is one of the most memorable TV actors from the 1970s.’

Fans also made comments about the star.

‘RIP David Soul – thanks for all you did on the small screen.’

And another said: ‘Very sad to hear about David Soul. I loved his 70s song, I still listen to it now and then.’

Soul became an international star and pin-up thanks to Starsky and Hutch during the show’s four-year run between 1975 and 1979.

He had a cameo in a 2004 feature film remake of the hit show, starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch, which introduced the legendary characters to another younger generation.

The original series ran for four seasons on ABC from 1975 to 1979, following the title characters, detectives who fought crime on the streets of the fictional Bay City, California in a bright red Gran Torino, with Antonio Fargas playing their informant, Huggy Bear.

Soul also enjoyed a short-lived pop career, scoring a number one hit in the US and UK with catchy ballad Don’t Give Up On Us Baby in 1976.

Soul in October 1970 with his second wife, the American actress Karen Carlson
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Soul in October 1970 with his second wife, the American actress Karen Carlson

Soul in a photo taken in 1982 with his third wife, Patti Carnel Sherman
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Soul in a photo taken in 1982 with his third wife, Patti Carnel Sherman

The actor in Los Angeles with actress Julia Nickson, his fourth wife, and their children
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The actor in Los Angeles with actress Julia Nickson, his fourth wife, and their children

South and Ms Nickson on November 30, 1988 dining at Spago in West Hollywood, California
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South and Ms Nickson on November 30, 1988 dining at Spago in West Hollywood, California

Soul met Ms Snell while performing in Deathtrap, when she was doing public relations for the play, and described her as his "soulmate"
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Soul met Ms Snell while performing in Deathtrap, when she was doing public relations for the play, and described her as his ‘soulmate’

Soul as Detective Ken 'Hutch' Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser's Detective Dave Starsky
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Soul as Detective Ken ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser’s Detective Dave Starsky

He also enjoyed a short-lived pop career, scoring a number one hit in the US and UK with catchy ballad Don't Give Up On Us Baby in 1976. Soul is pictured in 1975
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He also enjoyed a short-lived pop career, scoring a number one hit in the US and UK with catchy ballad Don’t Give Up On Us Baby in 1976. Soul is pictured in 1975

Other memorable film roles included that of a vigilante cop in Dirty Harry sequel The Enforcer and the lead as nostalgic writer Ben Mears in 1979 Stephen King adaptation Salem's Lot (pictured in 1977)
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Other memorable film roles included that of a vigilante cop in Dirty Harry sequel The Enforcer and the lead as nostalgic writer Ben Mears in 1979 Stephen King adaptation Salem’s Lot (pictured in 1977)

Further chart toppers would follow in 1977, with singles Going In With My Eyes Open and Silver Lady, but Soul’s foray as a singer would end 12-months later with the release of It Sure Brings Out The Love In Your Eyes – his fifth and final single.

Other memorable film roles included that of a vigilante cop in Dirty Harry sequel The Enforcer and the lead as nostalgic writer Ben Mears in 1979 Stephen King adaptation Salem’s Lot.

Born in Chicago on August 28 1943 as David Solberg, he spent his childhood between South Dakota and post-Second World War Berlin.

His father Dr Richard Solberg, a professor of history and political science and an ordained minister, moved them to Berlin where he was a religious affairs adviser to the US high commission.’

Singer Nikki Lund – who sang You & I with Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi – posted: ‘He was such a bright light and an inspiration for so many singers. And he was the meaning of masculine charm in the 1970s that still has an impact today. I am really sad he is no longer with us.’

Jonathan Cheban, aka FoodGod from Keeping Up With The Kardashians, remarked: ‘His loss will be felt. I mean, he is one of the most memorable TV actors from the 1970s.’

Fans also made comments about the star.

‘RIP David Soul – thanks for all you did on the small screen.’

And another said: ‘Very sad to hear about David Soul. I loved his 70s song, I still listen to it now and then.’

Soul became an international star and pin-up thanks to Starsky and Hutch during the show’s four-year run between 1975 and 1979.

He had a cameo in a 2004 feature film remake of the hit show, starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch, which introduced the legendary characters to another younger generation.

The original series ran for four seasons on ABC from 1975 to 1979, following the title characters, detectives who fought crime on the streets of the fictional Bay City, California in a bright red Gran Torino, with Antonio Fargas playing their informant, Huggy Bear.

Soul also enjoyed a short-lived pop career, scoring a number one hit in the US and UK with catchy ballad Don’t Give Up On Us Baby in 1976.

Soul in October 1970 with his second wife, the American actress Karen Carlson
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View gallery

Soul in October 1970 with his second wife, the American actress Karen Carlson

Soul in a photo taken in 1982 with his third wife, Patti Carnel Sherman
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View gallery

Soul in a photo taken in 1982 with his third wife, Patti Carnel Sherman

The actor in Los Angeles with actress Julia Nickson, his fourth wife, and their children
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The actor in Los Angeles with actress Julia Nickson, his fourth wife, and their children

South and Ms Nickson on November 30, 1988 dining at Spago in West Hollywood, California
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View gallery

South and Ms Nickson on November 30, 1988 dining at Spago in West Hollywood, California

Soul met Ms Snell while performing in Deathtrap, when she was doing public relations for the play, and described her as his "soulmate"
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View gallery

Soul met Ms Snell while performing in Deathtrap, when she was doing public relations for the play, and described her as his ‘soulmate’

Soul as Detective Ken 'Hutch' Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser's Detective Dave Starsky
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View gallery

Soul as Detective Ken ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser’s Detective Dave Starsky

He also enjoyed a short-lived pop career, scoring a number one hit in the US and UK with catchy ballad Don't Give Up On Us Baby in 1976. Soul is pictured in 1975
+18
View gallery

He also enjoyed a short-lived pop career, scoring a number one hit in the US and UK with catchy ballad Don’t Give Up On Us Baby in 1976. Soul is pictured in 1975

Other memorable film roles included that of a vigilante cop in Dirty Harry sequel The Enforcer and the lead as nostalgic writer Ben Mears in 1979 Stephen King adaptation Salem's Lot (pictured in 1977)
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View gallery

Other memorable film roles included that of a vigilante cop in Dirty Harry sequel The Enforcer and the lead as nostalgic writer Ben Mears in 1979 Stephen King adaptation Salem’s Lot (pictured in 1977)

Further chart toppers would follow in 1977, with singles Going In With My Eyes Open and Silver Lady, but Soul’s foray as a singer would end 12-months later with the release of It Sure Brings Out The Love In Your Eyes – his fifth and final single.

Other memorable film roles included that of a vigilante cop in Dirty Harry sequel The Enforcer and the lead as nostalgic writer Ben Mears in 1979 Stephen King adaptation Salem’s Lot.

Born in Chicago on August 28 1943 as David Solberg, he spent his childhood between South Dakota and post-Second World War Berlin.

His father Dr Richard Solberg, a professor of history and political science and an ordained minister, moved them to Berlin where he was a religious affairs adviser to the US high commission.