Tributes are being paid to Oscar-winning director Richard Attenborough, who dominated the British film business for more than half a century. Mr Attenborough, who won two Academy Awards for directing and producing Gandhi in 1983, died at lunchtime on Sunday.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) described its former president as a "titan of British cinema" who set an example of "industry, skill and compassion" that business would do well to live up to.
He was president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) and championed the British film business for more than 60 years as an actor, director and prolific movie-maker.
Gandhi was the highlight of his career, winning eight Oscars, including best film. He also directed Young Winston, A Bridge Too Far, Chaplin and Cry Freedom.
Richard Attenborough (in white) surrounded by fellow actors in a scene from Jurassic Park in 1993 | Image: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
As an actor he won acclaim for starring roles in films such as Brighton Rock, The Great Escape and 10 Rillington Place. 'Dickie' Attenborough was born in Cambridgeshire in 1923 and educated at Wyggeston Grammar School and Emmanuel College Cambridge.
He was the older brother of naturalist, David Attenborough.
He married the actress Sheila Sim when he was 21. His son Michael was born in 1949, followed by two daughters, Jane and Charlotte.
Tragedy struck on Stephen's Day in 2004 when his elder daughter Jane Holland, her daughter Lucy, and her mother-in-law, also Jane, died in the south-Asian tsunami.
Attenborough directing Ben Kingsley during a tracking shot in 1982's Gandhi | Image: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Director Steven Spielberg said "Dickie Attenborough was passionate about everything in his life - family, friends, country and career. He made a gift to the world with his emotional epic Ghandi and he was the perfect ringmaster to bring the dinosaurs back to life as John Hammond in Jurassic Park."
"He was a dear friend and I am standing in an endless line of those who completely adored him."
Attenborough directing Robert Downey Jr in Charlie Chaplin | Image: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
British Prime Minister David Cameron said "His acting in Brighton Rock was brilliant, his directing of Gandhi was stunning - Richard Attenborough was one of the greats of cinema."
In a statement on their website, Chelsea said: "Chelsea Football Club is tonight deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our Life President Lord Attenborough. His personality was woven into the tapestry of the club over seven decades. He will be greatly missed."
