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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

Chariots of Fire director Hugh Hudson dies after battling short illness as family mourn star

Hugh Hudson has sadly passed away after battling a short illness, his family have confirmed.

The Chariots Of Fire director died in hospital in Charing Cross hospital in London on Friday at the age of 86 following a battle with a brief illness.

A statement released on behalf of his family said: "Hugh Hudson, 86, beloved husband and father, died at Charing Cross Hospital on February 10, 2023 after a short illness.

"He was best known for directing the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire.

"He is survived by his wife Maryam, his son Thomas and his first wife Sue."

(NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The Oscar-winning film director of the 1981 film Chariots Of Fire enjoyed an incredibly successful career, and tributes have been flooding in since the news of his passing emerged.

Actor Nigel Havers, who starred in Chariots Of Fire has said that he is 'beyond devastated' that the director has sadly passed away.

Nigel, who was good friends with the late film director for more than 45 years, described Hugh as a 'great friend'.

Hugh Hudson has sadly passed away at the age of 86 (Getty Images)
The film director passed away in Charing Cross hospital on Friday (Getty Images)

"Chariots of Fire was one of the greatest experiences of my professional life, and, like so many others, I owe much of what followed to him," he said to PA.

"I shall miss him greatly," the actor added.

Hudson was among a generation of British directors who would begin their career making documentaries and television commercials before going on to have success in films.

Hudson won a Golden Globe for his 1981 movie, Chariots Of Fire (Warner Bros./Archive Photos/Getty Images)

The talented movie guru directed the 1981 Academy Award and BAFTA Award Best Picture Chariots of Fire - a film which ranked 19th in the British Film Institute's list of Top 100 British films.

He then continued to direct advertisements while making films.

In 2003, Hudson was given a special Cannes Lions award on the 50th Anniversary of the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival - an award given only to directors who have won the Grand Prix more than once.

Hugh Hudson and Maryam d'Abo attend the Opening Night performance of "Nureyev Legend and Legacy" at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Hudson has died at the age of 86 after battling a short illness (Getty Images)

Throughout his career, he won Grand Prix Cannes Lions awards for his 1972 Levi's "Walking Behinds" and 1978 Coty L'Aimant "French Lesson" adverts.

And in October 2008, at the Dinard Festival of British Film, Hudson's work was honoured.

As a tribute five of his films were shown.

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