The death of screen legend Charlton Heston has sparked tributes from residents who remember his visits to Brighton 20 years ago.

The Hollywood actor, famous for his roles in Ben-Hur, The Ten Commandments and El Cid, died on Saturday at the age of 84.

He appeared at the Theatre Royal twice in the 1980s, firstly as an actor and director in The Caine Mutiny Court Martial in 1985.

He returned three years later to appear as Thomas More in A Man For All Seasons.

Roy Roe was the theatre's stage manager at the time, and a huge fan.

He said: "When he first arrived I thought he was going to be very unapproachable, but he couldn't have been nicer.

"We always used to have a dress rehearsal on the Sunday night before the play opened on a Monday, and the first time he came we had a technical problem.

"I thought, hell, I'm going to have to go and explain it to him, which I didn't really want to have to do. I knocked on the door and he boomed come'.

"It sounded like the voice of God. When I went in I told him we had a problem and he just said You know what to do, give me a call when you're ready'.

"On the Saturday night before he left he came up to me to thank me and say goodbye.

Most of the actors I worked with didn't bother doing that, so for someone of that stature to make time for me was great.

"He's also the only person I can remember who had a big queue waiting outside for him - there must have been four or five dozen people all wanting autographs. He had time for everyone."

Mr Roe remembers the actor also created quite a stir among theatre staff. He said: "Everyone wanted their picture taken with him, and he happily posed.

"I even persuaded him to come and sit at my desk for a photograph."

Mr Roe still has a signed photograph of himself with the actor.

Among those who queued for an autograph after watching A Man For All Seasons was librarian Mel Nowocin.

She said: "It was very exciting to have such a celebrity coming to Brighton.

"I was really struck by his height, and I remember thinking he was very attractive and very distinguished."

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