The 92-year-old peer fought for disability rights for more than six decades.
Tributes have been paid to disability campaigner and actor Lord Rix, who died on Saturday aged 92.
The peer had campaigned on behalf of people with learning disabilities for more than six decades.
Formerly a star of stage and screen, Brian Rix turned to activism in 1951 after his first daughter was born with Down's syndrome.
Speaking to The Guardian in 2014, he recalled: “We got the standard advice which they gave to all parents in our circumstances, which was 'put her away, forget her, start again'.”
The actor's fury at the lack of support given to his daughter marked the beginning of his journey from west end farces to fundraising and activism.
By the 1960s he had become the first chairman of Mencap’s special functions fundraising committee.
His unique charm, personality and passion have been invaluable in helping Mencap grow into the UK’s leading learning disability charity
In 1980 he was made the charity’s secretary general before becoming chairman in 1988 and then president ten years later, a role he occupied until his death.
After being awarded a knighthood in 1986 and a life peerage six years later he also used his position in the House of Lords to influence government policy and stand up for disability rights.
Thanks to his amendments to government bills, statutory childcare provision for disabled children was extended by two years and people with a learning disability were given the ability to vote freely.
Alongside his parliamentary career and work with Mencap, Lord Rix served as the first chairman of the Arts Council monitoring committee on arts and disability as well as founding the charity Liberta, which produced audio guides for disabled people at museums and historical buildings.
Jan Tregelles, chief executive of Mencap, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of Lord Brian Rix’s death. The thoughts of everyone in the Mencap movement go out to his family at this very difficult time.
“Lord Rix was a beloved colleague and friend to so many people with a learning disability and their families. His passion, zeal and humour will be sorely missed. His tireless campaigning has perhaps done more to improve the lives of people with a learning disability than any other.
“When Lord Rix’s daughter, Shelley, was born with a learning disability he and his wife Elspet were told to put her away, and forget about her. This started a quest lasting over 60 years to make the world a better place for all those with a learning disability.
“He has played a central role in many of the landmark moments for people with a learning disability in recent decades, working as secretary general, chairman and later president of Mencap and also in the House of Lords where he worked tirelessly into his 90s.
“His unique charm, personality and passion have been invaluable in helping Mencap grow into the UK’s leading learning disability charity, and with his passing the charity has lost a very dear friend.”
Lord Rix’s death came just weeks after calling for a change in the law on assisted dying to allow people to "slip away peacefully".
His wife, actress and fellow Mencap campaigner Elspet Gray, died aged 83 in 2013.
Baroness D’Souza, lord speaker, said: “We feel a sense of profound relief that Lord Rix is no longer suffering. I will write to his family remembering his significant contributions both within and without the House of Lords and offering our deepest sympathies.”
