BRITAIN: Tributes have been paid to Oscar-winning actor Sir John Mills, who became one of Britain's best-loved actors over a career spanning more than 100 films.
Sir John died peacefully at his home in Denham, Buckinghamshire, on Saturday after a short illness. He was 97.
The archetypal English gentleman, Sir John graced stage and screen for more than 60 years, starting as a £4-a-week chorus boy at the London Hippodrome in 1929.
His greatest triumph was winning a Hollywood Oscar in 1971 for playing a deformed mute in Ryan's Daughter.
He starred in a succession of David Lean films - In Which We Serve, This Happy Breed, Hobson's Choice and as Pip in Great Expectations.
Sir John, who was knighted in 1976, will probably be best remembered for his patriotic roles in such films as Ice Cold in Alex, Above Us the Waves, Dunkirk, Scott of the Antarctic and Tunes of Glory - one of his personal favourites.
Actor and director Lord Richard Attenborough described his old friend as a "truly remarkable man".
Lord Attenborough told the BBC Radio Four PM programme that Sir John was "almost unequalled as a world British movie star". He said: "There was no one comparable really. He gave such a variety of impeccable performances.
"He was adored by the people he worked with from the plasterer, the chippy and the electrician to the stars who played opposite him."
Lord Attenborough said Sir John went into hospital five weeks ago with a chest infection which he never overcame.
He added: "He never stopped working. His work was everything and he was immensely proud of it and did great honour to it." Prime Minister Tony Blair paid tribute to Sir John, saying he was honoured to be his friend.
Sir John is survived by his wife, playwright Mary Hayley Bell, his son, Jonathan, and daughters Juliet and Hayley, both actors.