Manchester-born Titanic and Lord of the Rings actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79

Manchester-born actor Bernard Hill has died aged 79. Best known for his roles in Oscar-winning epics Titanic and Lord of the Rings, he also starred in the seminal TV drama Boys from the Blackstuff.

Hill was born in Blackley in 1944 and attended Xaverian College and then Manchester Polytechnic's School of Drama. His big break came in 1979 playing jobless Liverpudlian Yosser Hughes in the acclaimed Alan Bleasdale drama.

The character became a popular figure with people protesting mass unemployment during the 1980s, particularly his catchphrase 'Gizza job'. Hill also received critical acclaim for his performance as Joe Bradshaw in Shirley Valentine in 1989.

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He is the only actor in the world to have appeared in more than one of the three films awarded a record 11 Oscars.

Titanic and The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King are two of only three films ever made to be awarded this many Academy Awards.

His agent Lou Coulson confirmed to BBC News that he died in the early hours of this morning. A statement from his family is expected soon.