Tributes paid to 'gentleman' actor as Richard Todd dies aged 90

DAM BUSTERS star Richard Todd, who has died at the age of 90, was described as an old-fashioned gentleman of “courage and dignity” as tributes poured in yesterday.

Todd, a master of “British stiff upper lip acting”, had been suffering from cancer and died on Thursday night.

In his heyday, Todd was one of British cinema’s biggest box office draws. The son of a British officer, he was a war hero in his own right and one of the first British officers to land in Normandy on D-Day.

He appeared in The Dam Busters as Wing Cdr Guy Gibson.

He was also the first choice of author Ian Fleming to play James Bond, but because of other commitments he had to turn it down. The role went to Sean Connery.

Todd’s family said a private funeral would be held and a memorial service at a later date. – (PA)

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