John Wells, the British satirist who amused millions with his portrayal of Margaret Thatcher's husband as hen-pecked, golf-mad and gin-loving, died of cancer Sunday. He was 61.

Wells, who suffered a recurrence last year of cancer diagnosed 10 years ago, died at his London home, said his brother-in-law, journalist Alexander Chancellor.Wells was a prolific writer, playwright and actor. But it was through his portrayals of Denis Thatcher's life as the spouse of Britain's formidable prime minister from 1979-90 that Wells gained national prominence.

Wells' play "Anyone for Denis?" in which he played Thatcher was a hit in London's West End.

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