Stars pay tribute to woodward

Stars including Sir Christopher Lee and Simon Pegg have paid tribute to late actor Edward Woodward, who died on Monday (16Nov09).

The 79 year old, best known for his role in cult horror film The Wicker Man, as well as TV series including Callan and The Equalizer, passed away in hospital following a long battle with illness.

Woodward's The Wicker Man co-star Lee has expressed his sadness at losing "a very good friend and a splendid actor," while Robin Hardy, who directed the pair in the cult 1973 movie, adds: "He was one of the greatest actors of his generation, with a broad career on U.S. TV as well as British TV. He was an extremely nice human being."

Pegg, who cast Woodward in his 2007 film Hot Fuzz, has also honoured the late actor, taking to his Twitter.com page to write, "So sorry to hear we have lost the great Edward Woodward. Feel lucky to have worked with him."