Advertisement

Luke Perry death: Beverly Hills 90210 co-star Jason Priestley pays tribute to actor

Jason Priestley has shared a tribute to his Beverly Hills 90210 co-star Luke Perry following his death.

Perry died aged 52 on Monday, five days after suffering a stroke .

Priestley, who played Brandon Walsh in the hit 1990s US teen drama, has spoken out for the first time since Perry's death.

The actor said it has taken him "a couple of days to figure out how to write this" in an Instagram post, in which he shared a photo of himself with Perry from their days in Beverly Hills 90210.

Priestley wrote in an accompanying post: "My dear friend of 29 years, Luke Perry, was one of those truly special people who really cared.

"Luke was not only a star, he was an incredibly bright light that was extinguished far too soon... and that is why I, and so many others, are in so much pain today.

"If you had the good fortune to know Luke, or to have ever crossed his path, I know you are sad today as well... the candle that burns twice as bright only burns for half as long... you burned oh, so brightly Luke... Goodnight Sweet Prince."

Perry became a household name for his role as Dylan McKay in 90210 between 1990 and 2000.

Shannen Doherty, who played Brenda Walsh in the show, said earlier this week she was "struggling with this loss and am having a hard time with my thoughts".

Perry was more recently known for starring in TV series Riverdale.

The remaining episodes of the show will be dedicated to the late actor.

Perry played Fred Andrews in the programme, the father of the series' main character Archie Andrews.

The show's creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa posted a behind-the-scenes shot of the cast on Twitter on Wednesday.

He said: "Going through pictures on my way to set.

"From the early days.

"With Luke in the middle.

"Our heart, always.

"Tonight's episode of #Riverdale finds Fred doing what he does best - helping Archie.

"It is dedicated to Luke, as all episodes will be for the rest of our run."

Perry's publicist Arnold Robinson said the star was surrounded by his family when he died.