TRIBUTES have been paid to former Brierley Hill amateur dramatics star Brian Dickinson who has died, aged 75.

The popular performer, who was a member of Brierley Hill Methodist Church Dramatic Society from 1970 until it folded in 2012, passed away on October 5 after a short battle with cancer.

Friends on the amateur dramatic circuit have been left devastated at his unexpected death - just hours before his latest play with Wordsley Amateur Dramatic Society was due to open.

Peter Goldsmith, from WADS where Brian had been a much-loved member for 23 years together with wife Liz, said Brian had chosen, cast and directed latest outing Curtain up on Murder but he'd had to pull out a few weeks ago after discovering he had cancer.

He underwent surgery to remove a tumour from his bowel, but died after developing septicaemia.

Over the years Brian played roles galore with Brierley Hill Methodist Church Dramatic Group and Wordsley Amateur Dramatic Society - able to turn his hand to both serious drama and comedy.

David Southall, chairman of WADS, said: "I first became aware of Brian as an actor when watching him on stage at Bank Street Methodist Church in the 1970s. Perhaps it was he who provided the inspiration that saw me join the same group in 1979. My first play was Towards Zero by Agatha Christie. I was obviously a bit nervous about making my debut on stage but needn’t have worried as Brian was also in the play and was always there with some encouraging comment."

He described Yorkshire-born grandfather-of-three Brian as a "superb actor" and added: "He gave brilliant performances in everything he did; but it was in comedy and farce that he most excelled. His sense of timing, his sense of humour and his pleasure in making people laugh filled every part he played.

"He was a source of great joy, an inspiration to anyone who knew him."

In recent years Brian made a name for himself as a TV and movie extra - appearing in many popular programmes and various feature films.

His daughter Miranda Dickinson, the best-selling romantic novelist, said "He was so proud to be in films like The Other Boleyn Girl, The Damned United and Nativity 3 - where he actually had to write his own script as the crazy New York vicar in the big finale - and TV shows like Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Doctors, Casualty, Life On Mars, The Village and, most recently, Raised By Wolves and Father Brown."

Miranda, whose new book Searching for a Silver Lining is out this week, added: "Dad was so excited about my new book coming out and I spent hours talking to him about being a teenager in the 1950s as I was writing it and so many of his memories and favourite songs now form part of the book."

As well as his wife of 49 years and daughter Miranda, Brian leaves another daughter Bev and grandchildren - Flo, Freya and Anya.

His funeral will be held at Brierley Hill Methodist Church, Bank Street, at 2.30pm on Thursday November 3.