Director Antonia Bird dead at 62

Actor Robert Carlyle salutes 'beautiful friend'

Antonia Bird has died, aged 54 (Getty Images)

Stars from around the UK film and TV industries have paid tribute to Bafta-winning director Antonia Bird, who has died aged 62.

Bird was best known for films from the 1990s, including Priest, Face and Ravenous. Robert Carlyle, who starred in all of those films, tweeted: "Such a sad day today. RIP Antonia Bird. Farewell my beautiful friend."

Written by Jimmy McGovern, Priest told the story of a Catholic priest's crisis of faith. It won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Bird also had credits of Spooks, Cracker and this year's BBC One drama The Village.

David Morrissey, who starred in State of Play and Doctor Who, tweeted: "So sad to hear the news about Antonia Bird. A great film maker. Great lady. Can't believe it. RIP."

Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting and Filth also worked with Bird. He tweeted: "Antonia - such a truly great woman."

London-born Bird won Baftas for 1993's Safe, about homeless teenagers, and 2000's Care, about sexual abuse in children's homes.

She also directed 1995's Mad Love, starring Drew Barrymore and Chris O'Donnell

Actor John Simm, who starred in The Village, wrote: "Such terribly sad news yesterday re the untimely death of the wonderful Antonia Bird. A brilliant, inspiring, beautiful Soul. RIP Antonia x"