Tributes to Earl Cameron, one of first black actors to make it in British cinema

PA Credit: Earl Cameron was made a CBE in 2009.

Tributes have been paid to actor Earl Cameron, who's died aged 102.

Mr Cameron has been described as an on screen 'pioneer' and was one of the first black actors to make it in British cinema.

His career began in 1951 with Pool Of London, credited as being the first British film to feature an interracial relationship. His later credits included playing Pinder in Bond movie Thunderball, Inception, and Sir Sidney Poitier's 1973 movie A Warm December.

Mr Cameron, who lived in Kenilworth in Warwickshire, passed away on Friday.

Film production company StudioCanalUK wrote: "We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Pool Of London actor Earl Cameron - one of the first prominent black actors to break through the 'colour bar' of British cinema."

Dance choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne said of Cameron: "Sad that we didn't see more opportunities given to this fine actor during his long career... but a groundbreaker certainly and a great legacy to celebrate today."