I never imagined when I woke up this morning that I would be writing this blog post. Where, and how, do you start to approach this awful news? Alan was a truly inspirational man who has done so much for others. He is renowned for how he always helped to support younger actors and actresses to make their break in the industry. Daniel Radcliffe himself has said how Alan never missed the opportunity to go and support Dan in all of his performances, whether in the UK or America.

I’m so shocked by this tragic news that I really don’t know how to put my emotions into word. I love so many of Alan’s films, but he will always be my Severus Snape. My unlikely hero, the man who made the ultimate sacrifice. Alan’s voice has always been one of my favourites. I have said for years that I love his voice so much that I would listen to him read the phone book. I will really, truly miss him and I know that so many over the globe are mourning the loss of this gentle, kind and warm hearted man who was an inspiration and role model to so many.

So many celebrities have taken to social media today to express their warm wishes to his family and to acknowledge their personal, emotional response to his premature death, alongside millions of fans worldwide. J.K. Rowling, Dan Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Stephen Fry, Julianne Moore, Evanna Lynch were just a tiny proportion of the outpouring of love for this wonderful man today.

But for me, by far the most personal and emotional response came from one of my biggest role models, Emma Thompson. Having starred in many films with Alan, my heart goes out to her today as much as it does to his family. I can’t begin to imagine how she must feel. Upon reading the statement she released today, I couldn’t help but have a little cry. If you haven’t seen it, here it is:

Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because I have just kissed him goodbye.

What I remember most in this moment of painful leave-taking is his humour, intelligence, wisdom, and kindness. His capacity to fell you with a look or lift you with a word.

That intransigence which made him the great artist that he was — his inedible and cynical wit, the clarity with which he saw most things, including me, and the fact that he never spared me the view. I learned a lot from him.

He was the finest of actors and directors. I couldn’t wait to see what he was going to do with his face next. I consider myself hugely privileged to have worked with him so many times and to have been directed by him.

He was the ultimate ally. In like, art and politics. I trusted him absolutely.

He was, above all things, a rare and unique human being and we shall not see his like again.

Such beautiful words to such a wonderful man. RIP Alan Rickman. You’ll be forever in our hearts. ♥♥♥