Coronation Street star Andy Whyment has said he was ‘sad to hear’ about the death of one of his former co-stars Bernard Hill. The news of the actor’s death was revealed over the weekend by his agent.

Best known for his roles in Titanic and The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Hill died aged 79, his agent said on Sunday (May 5) Hill also starred in BBC drama series Boys From The Blackstuff, and the 2015 BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novel Wolf Hall.

The actor played Captain Edward Smith in the Oscar-winning 1997 epic romance Titanic, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. In The Lord Of The Rings trilogy directed by Sir Peter Jackson, he portrayed Theoden, King of Rohan.

Hill joined the Lord Of The Rings cast for the second film in the trilogy, 2002’s The Two Towers, which won two Academy Awards for best sound editing and best visual effects. He returned to the franchise for 2003’s The Return Of The King, which picked up 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sir Peter.

He first made a name for himself as Yosser Hughes in Alan Bleasdale’s Boys From The Blackstuff, which aired in 1982 about five unemployed men. The role earned him a Bafta TV nomination in 1983, the same year the show picked up the Bafta for best drama series.

Andy was among those reflecting on working with Hill in a role before he became famed for playing Kirk Sutherland in Corrie. Sharing a picture of the pair, the soap star said on Instagram: “My first major speaking part was on a show called Once Upon a Time in the North, it was a 6 part series and Bernard Hill played my dad, sad to hear of his passing today RIP Bernard.”

Andy’s mum was among the first to respond, writing: “RIP Bernard so sad,” to which the actor replied: “It’s very sad isn’t it mum xxx.” Screenwrite and actor Jonathan Harvey also shared: “Ah I bet you learnt lots from working with him Andy,” to which Andy said: “Yes I did Jonathan he was a great actor.”

Another of Andy’s followers, @verayork, replied: “Gosh you look so young their.very sad to learn that bernard hill has died lovedvin in boys from the blackstuff as yosser hughes anð then shirley valentine,” and Andy wrote back: “I was 11 when we filmed it, it was nice to work with such a great actor with me being very young, very sad he’s passed away.”

And more of Andy’s fans and followers were quick to respond. @janemiller1202 said: “Amazing actor will be sadly missed.” @winkywalker wrote: “One of my favourite shows ever!” @karencolvin144 shared: “So sad RIP Bernard.” @helenmurray23 added: “I loved that program. RIP Bernard.”