“I was deeply saddened to be told of Anthony’s death. He was one of Britain’s greatest creative talents, one of our finest screenwriters and directors, a great champion of the British film industry, and an expert on literature and opera. I counted him as a great friend, as did Sarah and our family." Gordon Brown, Prime Minister

“This is a terrible shock. Anthony was not only a wonderful film-maker but also a great champion of British cinema, an elegant advocate for the craft and a marvellous mentor for new talent. This news is hard to take for all of us, and especially his family.”Alan Yentob, BBC creative director, who commissioned Truly Madly Deeply

“I am shattered. He was a very important person in the film community because not only was he a fine, fine writer ... and made the transfer into becoming a really excellent director, he was also a really beautiful man." Lord Puttnam, film director

“I worked with him on three films, more than with any other director, but had come to value him more as a friend than as a colleague. He was a sweet, warm, bright and funny man who was interested in everything from football to opera, films, music, literature, people and most of all his family whom he adored and to whom I send my thoughts and love.” Jude Law, actor, The Talented Mr Ripley, Cold Mountain and Breaking And Entering

“He was a brilliant renaissance man. This wasn’t just a gifted filmmaker. He was a musician, played the piano, was a playwright. It’s a tremendous loss. It’s very sad for the me and the Met. He was deeply loved by everybody he came into contact with at the Met, from the performers to the stage crew. They respected him and his clarity of thinking and his kindness.” Peter Gelb, general manager of New York’s Metropolitan Opera

“I am devastated and shocked to hear of Anthony Minghella’s death. Anthony possessed a sensitivity and alertness to the actor’s process that very few directors have. He directed most of The English Patient with an ankle in plaster, never losing his gentle humour and precision. He delighted in the contribution of everyone - he was a true collaborator. “His films deal with extreme aloneness and the redemptive power of love, even at the moment of death. I will remember him as a man who always wanted to get to the heart of the matter.” Ralph Fiennes, actor, The English Patient

“We are deeply, deeply shocked and terribly sad. All our thoughts go out to his family. His art was about communicating to you and allowing you to see the world differently. He was just such a wonderful man.” Amanda Nevill, Director of the British Film Institute

Minghella's death is a "shock and an utter loss...He had become known to quite a lot of people. His Excellency met him and appreciated what he along with McCall Smith were doing. They were both very determined to try and get the film [The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, due to be shown on the BBC on Sunday] shot in Botswana and we appreciated that...it was like he joined our community." Jeff Ramsay, spokesman for Botswana’s President Festus Mogae

“Anthony Minghella was one of the finest film-makers of his generation. He made a great contribution to British cinema, both through his films, which were rightly recognised on the international stage, and through his leadership of the BFI, in developing a vision for its future. The cultural and creative life of the country will be diminished and he will be sadly missed.” Andy Burnham, Culture Secretary

“Everybody at the BBC was very upset to hear of Anthony’s death...The work he had recently completed on The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency was quintessentially Anthony - epic but personal, thought provoking but entertaining, edgy but with a strong moral heart and warmth. He was one of the UK’s finest writing and directing talents and he will be sorely missed.” Jane Tranter, Controller of BBC Fiction

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