THOSE of us who were fans of the hit US political drama The West Wing are suffering withdrawal symptoms.

John Spencer, the actor who played a tough, dedicated politician who survived a coronary illness to run for vice president in TV drama The West Wing, has died of a heart attack.

Actor Albert Finney today beat off competition from two fellow Brits to scoop a top honour in the US Emmy awards.

Bosses of television programme The West Wing have offered to end a strike by four of its stars by doubling their pay, it was reported today.