London: British writer and actor Colin Welland, who won an Oscar for the screenplay of "Chariots of Fire", has died aged 81, his family announced on Tuesday.


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He had suffered from Alzheimer's disease for several years and died on Monday night, they said.


"Colin will be desperately missed by his family and friends," his family said in a statement.


"Alzheimer's is a cruel illness and there have been difficult times but in the end Colin died peacefully in his sleep.


"We are proud of Colin's many achievements during his life."


The fact-based "Chariots of Fire" revolved around two athletes at the 1924 Olympics: an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice, and a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God.


On winning the Oscar for best original screenplay at the 1982 Academy Awards, Welland warned the audience: "The British are coming!" -- a famous quotation attributed to US revolutionary war hero Paul Revere.


As an actor, Welland appeared in the popular British television police drama series "Z-Cars" in the 1960s.


He also played a schoolteacher in Ken Loach's heartwarming 1969 film "Kes", about a bullied boy who befriends a kestrel.


Welland is survived by his wife Patricia, four children and six grandchildren.