Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse dies aged 85

David Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died. He was 85.

"It’s with great regret and heart-wrenching sadness for us and million of fans around the world, to announce that our client Dave Prowse MBE has passed away at the age of 85," his agent announced.

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars trilogy, said he was "so sad" to hear the news.

"He was a kind man and much more than Darth Vader. He loved his fans as much as they loved him," he tweeted.

Prowse, who was a former bodybuilder, said he chose to play Vader because "everyone remembers the villain".