I was saddened to learn on Monday that US actor Luke Perry passed away aged 52 after suffering a stroke last week. Luke became a heartthrob in the 90s for his role as Dylan McKay in Beverly Hills 90210, with his image adorning the covers of magazines aimed at adolescent girls – and yes, I too had a crush on him. The show was about a group of high school students living among Southern California affluence whilst dealing with teen angst. Luke was in his mid-20s when he started playing Dylan, a brooding loner on a motorcycle with prominent sideburns and bad-boy tendencies. One of the key plot lines was his character developing a romance with Brenda, played by Shannen Doherty, before moving on to her best friend, Kelly, played by Jennie Garth. The same day Luke was taken to hospital last Wednesday after suffering a stroke, Fox TV announced that it would be running a six-episode return of 90210 featuring most of the original cast. Luke was not among those announced. The actor more recently appeared as the construction business owner Fred Andrews in the US drama Riverdale. He is also set to appear as Scott Lancer in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming movie Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which is now in post-production. Luke has had roles in a handful of films including The Fifth Element, 8 Seconds and American Strays. He also appeared in HBO’s prison drama Oz and voiced characters in cartoons including The Incredible Hulk and Mortal Kombat. Luke’s publicist Arnold Robinson said in a statement that his children Jack and Sophie, his fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer, and his ex-wife Minnie Sharp were with him when he died. His mother Ann Bennett, stepfather Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends were also by his side. Mr Robinson added in his statement: “The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world, and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning. No further details will be released at this time.”