Lord Attenborough: One Of The Greats Of Cinema

Tributes to one of the UK's best loved actors and directors have been paid from the worlds of entertainment, politics, sport and good causes.

Sir Ben Kingsley, who played the Mahatma Gandhi in Lord Attenborough's multi Oscar-winning work, said: "He placed in me an absolute trust and in turn I placed an absolute trust in him and grew to love him. I, along with millions of others whom he touched through his life and work, will miss him dearly."

Film producer Lord Puttnam said: "This is a most remarkable man who, when you string together the things he did, the things he helped, the things he salvaged, it's mind-boggling the list of decent, good things he did for Britain."

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta), of which he was President, said he was "a passionate filmmaker, a man of principle and - in contradiction of sometimes lachrymose image - possessing the kind of dogged determination that sees films get made after decades of toil.

"A titan of British cinema, to say he embodied its finest qualities is to have it backwards. British film would do well to live up to the example of industry, skill and compassion set by Richard, Lord Attenborough."

Steven Spielberg, who directed Lord Attenborough in Jurassic Park and in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, said: "He made a gift to the world with his emotional epic Gandhi 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."

Former TV executive Lord Grade said: "Dickie was essentially a man who put much more in than he ever took out of the industry."

On Twitter, the Prime Minister said: "His acting in Brighton Rock was brilliant, his directing of Gandhi was stunning - Richard Attenborough was one of the greats of cinema."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "The death of Richard Attenborough is a sad day for the film world and the Labour movement. He and his work will be remembered."

Former prime minister Tony Blair said: "As a supporter of progressive causes ... he was way ahead of his time. Fabulously successful yet humble and utterly without arrogance of any kind; possessing enormous compassion ... and yet approachable and good fun."

A statement on the website of Chelsea Football Club, of which he was a director for 23 years and then later Life President until his death, said: "His personality was woven into the tapestry of the club over seven decades. He was a consistent force for good at the club, even in dark times.

"Few of his show business friends escaped an attempt at indoctrination at Stamford Bridge. He shared his love of the club not just with English stars such as Laurence Olivier and John Mills, but brought Hollywood's greatest to the grandstands including John Wayne and Frank Sinatra.

"The Chelsea players were amazed when he introduced Steve McQueen into the dressing room at the height of his fame. The club's indelible association with such glamour is, to a huge degree, his doing."

Ashley Tabor, executive president of Global Radio, which controls Capital FM, which Lord Attenborough helped to set up in the early 1970s, said on Twitter: "Very saddened to hear the death of Richard Attenborough. He started @CapitalOfficial and steered it through some very tough times in the early days. You will be missed, sir. My thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP."

Robert Meadowcroft, chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, of which Lord Attenborough was a former President, said: "He had the wonderful gift of empathy and offered unwavering support for the numerous families he met in the fight against muscle-wasting conditions."

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, (Rada), of which Lord Attenborough was President, said on Twitter: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our President, Lord Attenborough. He was a great man - we owe him so much."

Actor James Woods, said on Twitter: "I did a cameo in CHAPLIN just to work with this giant. What a lovely man. RIP"

Jonny Lee Miller, whose grandfather was actor Bernard Lee, who played M in the James Bond films, said: "Richard Attenborough was a true friend to my Grandfather and a kind, kind man. RIP."

Labour MP Peter Hain, said on Twitter: "Really sad news death Richard Attenborough brilliant actor film director anti apartheid @UKLabour @chelseafc stalwart lovely man &friend.

James Bond actor Roger Moore said on Twitter: "Greatly saddened to hear the great Richard Attenborough has left us. Such a wonderful and talented man."

Fellow Labour peer Lord Alan Sugar, who was also involved in top league London football at the highest level, said on Twitter: "Very sad news about Lord Richard Attenborough who died today. A real movie legend. R.I.P."