Matt Lucas has hailed Anthony Head as "unfailingly brilliant".
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor "passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia", aged 72, and Matt - who starred alongside Head in Little Britain, the hit TV show - has paid a glowing tribute to the actor.
Matt, 52 - who co-wrote and co-created Little Britain - wrote on X: "I am very sad indeed to learn of the passing of Tony Head. When we were casting Little Britain, we were looking for a 'Tony Head-type', because we never imagined for a moment that the man himself would be interested, but he was. Lucky us. He was unfailingly brilliant, and always so kind and warm. My heart goes out to Daisy and Emily. (sic)"
Emma Caulfield, who played Anya Jenkins on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has also taken to social media to pay tribute to her former co-star.
The 53-year-old actress shared a throwback selfie of herself alongside the late actor.
Emma wrote on Instagram: "This was taken on the London Underground in 2011. I went to visit my friend Tony on the set of The Iron Lady. We had lunch, hit up a record store, had dinner and drinks and laughed until our sides hurt. It was a perfect day. There were many of these moments with this amazing human who I was lucky enough to call my friend for 27 years. He was kind and wise and a guide in troubled times. You were so loved. Impossible to caption. You are so missed. rest in peace with your beautiful Sarah-Emma. (sic)"
Head's daughters, Emily and Daisy Head, announced the passing of their dad.
The actresses said in a statement given to the BBC: "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father, Anthony Head.
"He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.
"It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many."
