Alan Rickman dies: Mark Rylance tribute to 'remarkable' actor

Actor Alan Rickman, known for films including Harry Potter, Die Hard and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, has died at the age of 69, his family has said.

The star had been suffering from cancer, a statement said.

He became one of Britain's best-loved acting stars thanks to roles including Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films and Hans Gruber in Die Hard.

Fellow actor Mark Rylance, who studied with Rickman at drama school, said: "he had great depths to his character, he had what you might call soul".