ACTOR PETER FALK DIES AT 83

Peter Falk, the American actor most famous for his role as TV's scruffy detective, Columbo, has died at the age of 83, reports say.

The actor died at home in Beverly Hills on Thursday night, his family were quoted as telling US media.

He had been suffering from worsening dementia and Alzheimer's, said his adopted daughter, Catherine Falk.

Peter Falk won four Emmys for his cigar-chomping role in Columbo, and was nominated for Oscars in 1960 and 1961.