Peter O'Toole shrugged off illness to finish his final film

Legendary actor Peter O'Toole pictured in his final film. Credit: PA Wire

Legendary actor Peter O'Toole shrugged off illness to carry on working 10 hours a day on his final film, its director has revealed.

O'Toole, who found fame in the Oscar-winning classic Lawrence Of Arabia, died in December 2013 aged 81.

Peter O'Toole died in December 2013 aged 81. Credit: PA Wire

He had suffered from a long illness, his agent said at the time of his death.

But O'Toole defied his health problems during filming of Fall of an Empire: The Story of Katherine of Alexandria in January 2012.

The film's director, Michael Redwood, said:

The film was to be Peter O'Toole's last ever movie. Credit: PA Wire

Images of O'Toole performing in what was to be his last film role have also been released.

The actor announced his retirement later in 2012, saying he intended to focus on the third volume of his memoirs.

Fall of an Empire: The Story of Katherine of Alexandria - available on DVD and in cinemas from today - tells the story of St Katherine and Constantine.