Tributes have poured in for Bob Hoskins, with many taking to Twitter to express their disbelief at his death.

Actor and comedian Stephen Fry tweeted: “Oh no, Bob Hoskins. Gone? That’s awful news. The Long Good Friday one of the best British movies of the modern era. A marvellous man.”

Hollywood actor James Woods, who starred with Hoskins in the 1995 drama Nixon, mourned his death by celebrating the Briton’s acting talents. He tweeted: “Oh man, what a terrible loss. A great guy and a superb artist.”

Fellow Tinseltown legend Samuel L Jackson spoke of his sadness at the news, saying: “Truly saddened by the passing of Bob Hoskins! A truly Gigantic talent & a Gentleman. R.I.P.”

The League of Gentlemen actor Mark Gatiss, who starred in a production of The Wind In The Willows with Hoskins for the BBC, posted a photograph of the pair from the show.

He tweeted: “So sad to hear we’ve lost the great Bob Hoskins. A true gent & an inspiration. Happy memories of ‘the Willows’ in ’06”.

Actor Nick Frost shared the silver screen with Hoskins when they appeared together as Nion and Muir, two of the seven dwarves in the 2012 film Snow White And The Huntsman.

Frost tweeted: “Terribly sad news about Bob Hoskins. A pleasure to have shared the screen with you mate. An Actors actor and a gentleman to boot. RIP.

“If you want to see Bob in full flow watch The Long Good Friday. A tour de force. The long shot at the end of Bob in the taxi is amazing.”

Theatre director and choreographer Matthew Bourne added simply: “RIP Bob Hoskins”.