Robbie Coltrane: Tributes pour in after 'magnificent' Harry Potter actor dies aged 72

Harry Potter and Cracker actor Robbie Coltrane has died aged 72, ITV News' Mark McQuillan reports.

Tributes have poured in for the actor Robbie Coltrane, who was best known for his performance as Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies, after he died aged 72.

Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright said her "client and friend" passed away on Friday.

She said he was a "unique talent" who shares a Guinness Book of Records’ Award for winning three consecutive Best Actor Baftas for his portrayal of Fitz in Granada TV’s series Cracker in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon.

Wright said: "He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, a role which brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world, prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years."

Harry Potter author J.K Rowling led the tributes to Coltrane on Twitter saying: "l'll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again.

"He was an incredible talent, a complete one-off, and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him.

"I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children."

The Harry Potter Twitter page shared an image of Coltrane as Hagrid and paid tribute to the actor.

It said: "We are hugely saddened to hear of the passing of the magnificent Robbie Coltrane who played Hagrid with such kindness, heart and humour in the Harry Potter films.

"He was a wonderful actor, a friend to all and he will be deeply missed."

Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe said: "Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on set. I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he’s passed."

Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films, said she was “heartbroken” by the news of Coltrane’s death.

“Hagrid was my favourite character! Robbie portrayed Hagrid’s warmth, sense of home & unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly," she wrote.

“Thanks for all the laughter. Miss you Robbie. Sending love to your family."

Warwick Davis, who starred alongside Coltrane as Professor Flitwick in the Harry Potter films, said he was "saddened" to hear of Coltrane's passing.

“Always jovial, he brought warmth, light and laughter to any set he walked on to. RIP Robbie, Beloved Giant of comedy.x," he wrote.

Meanwhile, Stephen Fry, who starred in the comedy series Alfresco alongside Coltrane, said he would be "dreadfully missed".

"I first met Robbie Coltrane almost exactly 40 years ago,” Fry tweeted. "I was awe/terror/love struck all at the same time.

"Such depth, power & talent: funny enough to cause helpless hiccups & honking as we made our first TV show, ‘Alfresco’."

James Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they would miss their "dear friend" who starred as Valentin Zukovsky in Bond films GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough.

Born Anthony Robert McMillan in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, on March 30 1950, Coltrane was the son of teacher and pianist Jean Ross and general practitioner Ian Baxter McMillan, and was educated at independent school Glenalmond College in Perth and Kinross.

While there, he was head of the school’s debating society and won prizes for art, which later prompted him to attend Glasgow School of Art and Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh.

Despite attending a private school, he called for them to be banned and gained the nickname “Red Robbie” because of his involvement with the Labour Party and for his anti-conservative views, which were opposite to his upbringing.

One of three siblings, who include an older sister Annie and younger sister Jane, the death of his father when he was 19 had a huge impact on his life.

It was not until he was in his 20s that he moved into acting, which prompted him to take the stage name Coltrane, a tribute to jazz saxophonist John Coltrane.

One of his highest-profile TV roles was in the 1990s playing Dr Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald, a forensic psychologist in the TV series Cracker (1993).

It was not until his performance as KGB man Valentin Zukovsky in Goldeneye that he became internationally-known, revisiting the same character in The World Is Not Enough.

It led to him securing a role in the lucrative Harry Potter franchise for which he was personally selected by Rowling, which led to appearances as Hagrid in all eight films.

The 6ft 1inch actor is said to have only taken the role of the giant after his children urged him to.

Coltrane was made an OBE in the 2006 New Year’s honours list for his services to drama and he was awarded the Bafta Scotland Award for outstanding contribution to film in 2011.

The actor is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...