Alan Rickman, the much loved and admired British director and actor has died at the age of 69 after a short battle with cancer, his family confirmed today. 

The star, who first shot to fame with his performance in Die Hard in 1988, is most recently best known for his role as the slightly-scary Professor Snape in the film adaptions of J.K Rowling’s best selling seven-book series, Harry Potter. Throughout the years, he’s also starred in some of our favourite films: Love Actually, Michael Collins, Dogma, Truly Madly Deeply and Galaxy Quest.

R.I.P Alan, you’ll be missed.

“The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends.”

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Family statement

Since the news was announced, fans have been taking to twitter to express their grief

RIP to #AlanRickman a truly great actor! We loved him as Professor Snape! pic.twitter.com/aTOwLr2qtE

— PrettyLittleThing (@OfficialPLT) January 14, 2016

I was lucky enough to see #AlanRickman with LindsayDuncan in #PrivateLives in West End in 2001 pre-Bway. Wonderful pic.twitter.com/DrHYVRewKK

— Terri Paddock (@TerriPaddock) January 14, 2016

Goodbye Professor Snape.
You’ll ‘always’ be in our hearts.
RIP #AlanRickman pic.twitter.com/ZFT4JTqttv

— جبر الأعور (@_J013) January 14, 2016