Hollywood actress Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands, Heathers, Girl, Interrupted) was due to make two public appearances at the Happy Days international Beckett Festival in Enniskillen, which gets underway next week. However she has been forced to cancel due to a sudden berreavement.

Sean Doran - Festival founder and Artistic director said: “I heard from Winona last night that she had lost a dear friend and would not now be able to come to the festival...she told me she hopes to come next year instead...”

He also said that actress “was very apologetic and saddened at not being able to come as planned as she had been very much looking forward to taking part in the festival.”

Ryder was set to read two prose pieces by Beckett as part of a programme, which will also feature Frank SkinnerClive James, Miranda RichardsonHarriet WalterJuliet StevensonDiana Quick and Adrian Dunbar.

Ticket holders for Winona Ryder’s festival events can contact the box office to receive a full refund.