It's with great sadness that we report on the passing of well known British director and newspaper columnist Michael Winner today. Having been ill for quite some time, Winner has died aged 77 at his London home in Kensington this morning. Notable films among his repetoire of over 30 projects include Scorpio and Death Wish starring Charles Bronson. Winner's career as a director spanned more than 50 years and during this time, Winner had the pleasure of working with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, including Marlon Brando, Robert Mitchum and Faye Dunaway. But this wasn't all he was famed for; he was also a favourite among restaurant goers for his Sunday Times column 'Winner's Dinners.'

His wife Geraldine confirmed his death with the following statement. "Michael was a wonderful man, brilliant, funny and generous... A light has gone out in my life."

RIP Michael Winner.