Award winning actor and Harry Potter star Michael Gambon has died at the age of 82. 

The actor was born in Dublin in 1940 and his family moved to Kent, near London, after the Second World War. 

He returned to the city of his birth to make his acting debut in Othello before heading to London to perform in the West End as an understudy in The Bed-Sitting Room. 

Most notably, he was cast as Albus Dumbeldore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban after the death of Richard Harris. 

He appeared in the franchise’s six films and always spoke with a noticeable Irish accent; it meant that for millions of children across the world, one of the great heroes of the Wizarding World was an Irishman. 

In a statement released to the media, his family said: 

“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.

“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82.

“We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”