Mel Parry was part of the SAS team that ended the 1980 siege six days after six armed men took 26 hostages inside the building.

The gunmen were Iranian-Arabs wanting sovereignty for Khuzestan, in Iran's south-west, as well as demanding the release of prisoners held in Iran and their own safe passage out of the UK.

The SAS team's storming of the building in 17 minutes became one of its most famous operations, recovering all but one of the hostages and killing five of the six hostage-takers.

Mr Parry's former SAS colleague Bob Shepherd wrote in his blog on Sunday: "It's with the greatest of sadness that I write this blog post about arguably one of the finest men to have served in 22 SAS Regiment in my time.

"I write this as he died from a very long illness today in Hereford. My heart goes out to Mel's family and close friends.

Another former SAS soldier, Chris Ryan, described him as a "gentleman and an incredible soldier".

An Army spokesperson said: "We are saddened to hear of the passing of Mel Parry who had a long and distinguished career.

"We are thankful for his service, dedication, excellence and enduring legacy.

"Our thoughts are with his friends and family."