Many stars of stage and screen have paid tribute following the death of a 58-year-old actor who grew up in Penarth.

Ronan Vibert was in movies such as Saving Mr Banks, the Lara Croft film The Cradle of Life starring Angelina Jolie, and the TV series The Borgias. He died last Thursday in Florida.

Richard E Grant described the death of "my friend" as shocking, and Kathy Burke called him "lovely".

Mr Vibert, who was born in Cambridgeshire, lived in Penarth until he was 18 and went to the RADA stage school. He took part in productions at Stanwell School in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, including the title role of Dracula.

One school friend recalled: "He had a huge career, but his performances in those school productions have really stayed with us. In Dracula, when all we saw was a claw-like hand coming out of the stage curtain, he nearly finished off half the audience".

His other films included Tristan and Isolde, and The Snowman, which was based on the Jo Nesbo crime novel.

On TV his many credits included Poirot, Lewis, and The Bill.

He also appeared in the BBC comedy series Gimme Gimme Gimme, whose star Kathy Burke tweeted: "Just heard about the death of lovely Ronan Vibert. We first worked together at Manchester Royal Exchange back in the 80s. We had great times together.

"Our favourite was seeing The Pogues, Glasgow Barrowlands on Paddy's night. Oh, how we jumped."

The Hollywood Reporter quoted his manager saying Mr Vibert died last Thursday, 22 December, at a Florida hospital after a brief illness, the nature of which has not been specified.

He leaves his wife, Jess.

Actor Jason Watkins added: "So sad that my friend has died.Numb. The youngest in our year ⁦at RADA. He was unique. Saw things differently and was so inventive. Wonderful times with him. Too young … Love to Jess and his family.