Sherlock Holmes actor David Burke left an estate of £77,912 following his death aged 91. 

The star, who played Dr Watson in the original TV series, also acted in two different roles on Coronation Street – a schoolmaster at Bessie Street School in 1963 and factory works manager Jack Benjamin in 1966.

He passed away four months ago on May 10, and was survived by fellow actors Anna Calder-Marshall – his wife – and their son Tom Burke. 

Burke is best known for his portrayal of the sidekick Dr Watson in 1980s TV series Sherlock Holmes, in which he starred opposite Jeremy Brett, who filled both the leading detective role and that of a close friend to Burke.

His stint as Dr Watson was hailed for transforming the character from being deemed foolish to being seen as a respected ally to Sherlock, paving the way to future depictions of the role – including Martin Freeman's performance alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in BBC's Sherlock.

Yesterday it was made public that Burke left his estate to Anna, 79, who he married 55 years ago in 1971. 

His Grant of Probate had been issued by the High Court of Justice on Monday, with his wife and son named as the executors.

The gross value of his estate in this country was worth £84,407, brought down to £77,912 following deductions. 

The actor, who also appeared on the TV show Heartbeat, had written his will on September 29, 2011.

Anna has appeared in Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie's Poirot. Tom, 45, is the couple's only child. 

Liverpool-born Burke won a scholarship to Oxford to read classics in the 1950s, and harnessed a wish to become the next Laurence Olivier. 

He later trained at drama school Rada, secured after an audition inspired by working as a labourer on the M1, and went on to have a career across TV and radio, as well as on stage. 

He starred as Kent in a National Theatre production of King Lear alongside Lord of the Rings star Ian Holm, widely known for playing Bilbo Baggins. 

Burke's performance was met with acclaim, described at the time as being 'subtle, studied and unobtrusive'.

The actor went on to appear on TV series Midsomer Murders and worked alongside The Good Life star Felicity Kendal in The Woodlanders.

He also appeared in Coronation Street between 1963 and 1966.

Like father, like son, his son Tom entered the acting world and featured on screens as Athos in BBC's The Musketeers and as Cormoran Strike in the series Strike.

Tom also starred alongside Steve Coogan in Netflix show Legends, which premiered earlier this month.

Burke reportedly declined to appear in a second series of the show in 1985 having felt 'terribly guilty' about leaving his family at home while filming the 13 episodes in Manchester.

In an interview with The Times, Tom said he felt 'guilty' as he got older at the prospect his father had 'given up this brilliant opportunity' for him.

When he asked his father about it, Burke told his son: 'It was my decision.

'I didn't just want to work. I also wanted to be your dad.

'On top of that, I was getting bored of saying, "Good heavens, Holmes".'