TRIBUTES are pouring in from across Derbyshire following the death of Oscar-winning British film director and actor Richard Attenborough.
The star of films including Brighton Rock, The Great Escape and Jurassic Park passed away at lunchtime on Sunday.
His greatest directorial piece was the biopic of Gandhi, for which he won two Oscars.
In the late 1940s, Lord Attenborough came to Derbyshire to judge a bathing suit competition at the Long Eaton Carnival.
Frank Terry, of Allestree - a Charlie Chaplin impersonator - met Lord Attenborough in 1992, at a premiere of the biopic Chaplin, which he directed.
He had been invited to the event, at the Manchester Odeon, to entertain the crowds.
Frank said: "I was invited to go along and do a little routine at the end of the film and Richard Attenborough was there.
"I did it through an agency and got the chance to meet him. He was a very nice guy, really down to Earth.
"He said hello and it was lovely to speak to him with more than 100 other people there. He was an amazing actor and a brilliant director."
During his career, Frank said he had come across several interpretations of Chaplin's career in the media. But he said none matched up to the film.
Frank said: "I think the film was really good and it was a great job.
"I know it had mixed reviews but I thought it was excellent. They followed the autobiography and a biography, which made it very accurate.
"I still perform as Charlie Chaplin and I love it, it's brilliant."
Derby North MP Chris Williamson has also tweeted a tribute.
He said: "RIP Richard Attenborough. A great actor, director and socialist. He will be sadly missed."
