Bernard Hill, a legendary actor whose best-known performances included roles in , and Boys from the Blackstuff, has died aged 79.
Just hours before the tragedy, the movie star pulled out of an event where he was set to reunite with several co-actors.
The news of the late actor’s death was reported by the , also mere hours before the release of his latest project, season 2 of BBC drama with .
Hill was due to where he would be meeting fans, taking photos, and signing autographs.
There, he would’ve met up with his Lord of the Rings co-stars, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd.
Speaking on stage at the event, the four hobbit actors shared: ‘I don’t think anyone spoke Tolkien’s words as well as Bernard did, he will be sorely missed.’
The other beloved cast members were photographed together in the northern city Friday night at a restaurant, while Hill was nowhere to be seen.
His team had told Comic Con organisers that Hill’s partner was ‘very ill’.
Hill had also been due to speak at the convention in Merseyside yet the event was cancelled a day before.
A message posted by Comic Con on Instagram read: ‘Due to Bernard’s partner being taken very ill he can no longer attend the event.
‘He sends his sincere apologies and thanks you all for your understanding’.
In the wake of the devastation caused by Hill’s death, they also posted a tribute.
‘We’re heartbroken to hear the news of Bernard Hill’s passing. A great loss. Thinking of his family at this very sad time, and wishing them a lot of strength,’ Comic Con wrote.
Singer and actress Barbara Dickson was one of the first to pay tribute to Hill on X, writing in a statement: ‘It’s with great sadness that I note the death of Bernard Hill. We worked together in John Paul George Ringo and Bert, Willy Russell marvellous show 1974-1975.
‘A really marvellous actor. It was a privilege to have crossed paths with him. RIP Benny x.’
Broadcaster BBC also hailed Hill as an ‘incredible talent.’
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: ‘Bernard Hill blazed a trail across the screen, and his long-lasting career filled with iconic and remarkable roles is a testament to his incredible talent.
‘From Boys from the Blackstuff, to Wolf Hall, The Responder, and many more, we feel truly honoured to have worked with Bernard at the BBC. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.’
Hill’s agent, Lou Coulson, that the actor died in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The publication added that a statement from his family is expected to be released soon.
Grieving fans of the late cinema icon have been sharing tributes to him on social media, while also honouring their favourite performances of his career.
‘RIP Bernard Hill. His performance as Yosser Hughes on Boys from the Blackstuff was perfection and British television at it’s best,’ wrote @alelliott88 on X.
David shared: ‘I don’t say this lightly: Bernard Hill as King Theoden in the Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of my all-time favourite performances, a fascinatingly complex turn which brings to life a fascinatingly complex character.
‘RIP to the great Bernard Hill.’
Hill’s The Lord of the Rings co-star Monaghan also paid tribute, writing on social media: ‘The Broken king has passed to the grey havens but he will always be remembered. #ripbernard.’
Sharing to same photo, Wood penned: ‘So long to our friend, our king, Bernard Hill. We will never forget you. “For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning”.’
One person on X, Dr OE Murlor, brought up the fact that Hill was the only actor to appear in two films that one 11 Oscars each – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and .
Numerous people paid homage to Hill’s incredible breakout role as Yosser Hughes in the 1982 BBC drama Boys from the Blackstuff.
‘There were few more resonant and heartbreaking TV characters in the 80s than Yosser Hughes. Bernard Hill was brilliant. RIP,’ Phil wrote on X.
‘RIP Bernard Hill. Yosser Hughes up there with the very greatest performances in TV history,’ Jamie stated.
Born in Manchester in 1944, Hill graduated with a diploma in theatre in 1970 after attending the Manchester Polytechnic School of Drama.
Following his star-making role as Yosser, he went on to appear in productions including Gandhi, The Bounty, A Journey in the Life about John Lennon and The Ghost and the Darkness.
In 1997, he starred as Captain Edward John Smith in the Academy Award-winning Titanic, the captain who helmed the voyage before his planned retirement.
Then in 2002 and 2003, he played King Théoden of Rohan in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Hill was married to the actor Marianna Hill, with whom he shared a son.
