"He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer, that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come," the family statement said.

The news that the actor, fashion icon and great survivor of the Swinging Sixties Terence Stamp has died at the age of 87 is somehow impossible to believe.

Stamp left his mark in the industry with his performances in both the Superman and Star Wars franchises.