Harry Potter star Tom Felton has shared how his on-screen mum Helen McCrory helped shape him as a person in a heartfelt tribute.
Brave Helen died at the age of 52 following a secret battle with cancer, her husband Damian Lewis announced on Friday.
She made her friends promise to keep her health battle private, it has been revealed, with news of her death rocking the entertainment industry.
Tributes to the former Harry Potter and Peaky Blinders actress have flooded in from all over the world since the devastating news was made public.
Now Tom, who portrayed her on-screen son Draco Malfoy, has told fans and Helen's family just how important she was to his life.
He wrote in an Instagram post, "So sad to say farewell so suddenly - I never took the chance to tell her, but she helped shape me as a person so much - on & off screen.
"She was always relentlessly herself- razor sharp wit - silver tongued - kind & warm hearted - she suffered no fools yet had time for everyone.
"Thank you for lighting the way forward & holding my hand when I needed it xx."
His post was liked by over two million people.
Co-star Jason Issacs also reflected on her legacy in his own social media tribute.
"Decades ago Helen and I auditioned together for a film. I came home and said to [my wife] Emma 'I think I've just met the greatest actress I've ever seen.' After years of watching her mesmerize audiences I don't think that any more...I know it."
He added: "Luckily, I eventually found out that she was also scabrously funny, shockingly naughty and with an empathetic heart the size of a planet.
"As continually starstruck as I was on the Harry Potter films, being screen-married to and giggle with the great Helen McCrory will always be a highlight.
"Her proudest achievement, though, was building and loving the family that was her bedrock. They've lost so much and I send all my love to Damian and the kids. xxx."
In a statement, Potter star Daniel Radcliffe also honoured the actress.
"Helen was one of the most incredible actors I got to work with on the Harry Potter films," it read.
"She was effortlessly commanding and captivating as an actor, as well as being kind, generous and incredibly good fun as a person."
"Also, as it happens, she's one of the absolute coolest people I've ever met, in that I can't ever imagine her being flustered or nervous, she always seemed totally assured of who she was and what she was doing."
