John Instone, who died yesterday aged 57, was regarded as the Island's finest actor and was a familiar figure to television and radio audiences through his role as a Police press officer.

The former Police officer was described by friends and former colleagues as a gregarious man with a great appetite for life, who touched people in many walks of life.

Mr. Instone, marketing and communications manager for Cable and Wireless for the past nine years, was diagnosed as having stomach cancer in May. He died at his home in Southdown Farm, Southamption, at 4.30 a.m. yesterday.

He arrived on the Island in 1966 from Portsmouth, one of a batch of British Police officers brought over on secondment.

Like so many of his former colleagues who lived in Henderson Barracks at Police headquarters at Prospect, he died of cancer.

He worked in the training school, in Hamilton, for CID, in the Eastern division, in traffic and prosecutions, until 1980, when he joined the public relations office.

With Roger Sherratt at his side, the pair ran a friendly public relations operation that was popular with the Island's media.

Mr. Instone, who was married to wife Pamela, was known as a superb actor, performing with the Bermuda Music and Drama Society. Among the many roles he played was Hamlet, and Thomas a Beckett in Murder in the Cathedral . Former Royal Gazette editor David White said: "For many years he was Bermuda's leading serious actor and he was extraordinarily good, of professional standard. He was certainly good enough for a good English repertory company.

"He was an excellent media relations officer. When he and Roger Sherratt ran the media relations office, the relationship with The Royal Gazette was better than it ever was.'' Mr. Sherratt, who is now the Corporation of Hamilton secretary, said: "He was a very well known voice on the radio for many years as press liason officer and we are all deeply saddened by his death.'' In keeping with his robust attitude to life, Mr. Instone requested people who attend his memorial service in St. Paul's Church, Paget, on Friday to wear bright clothes.

Gavin Wilson, a friend of Mr. Instone who met him through their shared love of drama, said: "He was very gregarious, he had a great sense of humour and was a very solid friend. He was taken well, well before his time. He touched a lot of people from all walks of life. He didn't care who you were, it was what you were that was important to him and as a result of that he had an enormous group of friends. He didn't wank a bleak sombre funeral. He said if you have a bright tie wear it because it is to celebrate him, not mourn him.

"He said towards the end of his life that he was very fortunate to have such great friends, but I said we were very fortunate to have such a great friend as him.'' Cable and Wireless general manager Eddie Saints added: "John was an individual who had experience and wisdom about him, particularly in communicating with people. His seniority of leadership allowed us to communicate well in the marketplace.''