The role of Dr McCoy, as played by DeForest Kelley, was a vital part of the success of Star Trek: Original.

McCoy served as chief medical officer on board the original Enterprise, and was given the nickname 'Bones' by Kirk, a long-time friend. A staunchly humane and passionate man, Bones had an acerbic attitude and stood up for principles in the face of scepticism from his colleagues. He frequently clashed with Spock, whom he regarded as infuriatingly cold and implacable.

McCoy was already a celebrated physician before he joined the Enterprise, having been awarded the Legion of Honour and decorated by Starfleet surgeons.

His famous quote "I'm a doctor Jim, not a. . . ." is still the subject of fond pastiche, most recently by the holographic Doctor in Voyager. Moreover, variations of Bone's catch-line were actually said during many episodes, unlike the more famous "Beam me up, Scotty."

DeForest Kelley was the original choice for the role of Spock before the producers realised that he would be better suited to playing a gruff country doctor from Georgia. Kelly voiced Bones in the animated series, reprised the role in the first six Star Trek films and made a fleeting cameo appearance in the pilot episode of The Next Generation, playing a 137-year-old McCoy.

Key McCoy episodes: 'The Corbomite Manoeuvre', 'City on the Edge of Forever', 'For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky'.

DeForset Kelley will be sadly missed by his many fans and admirers around the world.

Read our tribute to DeForest Kelley