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Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere - follow all the action as Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill and John Boyega hit the red carpet

Dave Benett
Dave Benett

The wait is nearly over. After two years, the stars of one of the biggest film franchises of all time have returned to London from a galaxy far, far away for the eagerly anticipated release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

The space travellers hit the capital for the European premiere tonight where they were joined by a host of A-listers and royals to celebrate the follow up to The Force Awakens.

BB-8 was the first to pose for the cameras after rolling onto the red carpet surrounded by an army of Stormtroopers, one of which had a dance with C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels.

They were followed closely behind by Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey, and John Boyega, who plays Finn. The Peckham-born star was all smiles as he introduced fans to his parents.

Other stars lining the red carpet included Adam Driver, Laura Dern, Benecio del Torro and Gwendoline Christie who all paid tribute to the late Carrie Fisher who played Princess Leia.

Mark Hamill hailed her "one of a kind" as he thanked fans for helping him to deal with his grief. "She was one of a kind obviously," he said. "It's comforting because even though it hit me hard and I don't know if I've come to terms with it we all felt it and people wherever I go are helping me to deal with it.

"As tough as she acted she had a vulnerability. I criticised her all the time but if someone else did I'd get my back up. She was great, and you're going to love her in the film."

Directed by Rian Johnson, The Last Jedi will follow the Resistance as it prepares to do battle with the First Order.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is slated for UK cinema release tomorrow