[Marc]

Actor Peter O'Toole, who shot to fame in the Oscar-winning epic Lawrence of Arabia, has died, aged 81.

The acclaimed leading man died yesterday at the Wellington hospital in London after a long illness, his agent Steve Kenis said.

"He was one of a kind in the very best sense and a giant in his field," Mr Kenis said.

The Irish-born actor enjoyed a long stage and film career and was nominated for an Oscar eight times. He did not win but received a special Oscar from his peers for his contribution to film.

He was best known for his 1962 role in the epic David Lean film Lawrence Of Arabia.

The Irish president Michael D Higgins paid tribute, saying: "I have heard with great sadness of the passing of Peter O'Toole this weekend. Ireland, and the world, has lost one of the giants of film and theatre.

"In a long list of leading roles on stage and in film, Peter brought an extraordinary standard to bear as an actor."

Mr Higgins said: "I was privileged to know him as a friend since 1969", adding that friends would "miss his warm humour and generous friendship.

"He was unsurpassed for the grace he brought to every performance on and off the stage."

His daughter, Kate O’Toole, said: "His family are very appreciative and completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of real love and affection being expressed towards him, and to us, during this unhappy time. Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts."

Asking for time to grieve privately, she said: "In due course there will be a memorial filled with song and good cheer, as he would have wished.

"Thank you all again for your beautiful tributes - keep them coming."

O'Toole, known as a hard-drinking hellraiser in his younger days, announced his retirement from acting in July 2012, saying: "It is time for me to chuck in the sponge. To retire from films and stage.

"The heart for it has gone out of me. It won't come back."

He said his career had brought him "public support, emotional fulfilment and material comfort".

He said: "It has brought me together with fine people, good companions with whom I've shared the inevitable lot of all actors - flops and hits."

Early in his career, O'Toole began to make a name for himself on stage in several key Shakespearean roles, including an acclaimed Hamlet, before gaining fame in films such as Goodbye, Mr Chips, The Ruling Class, The Stunt Man and My Favourite Year.

His last Oscar nomination was for Best Actor in the 2006 movie Venus. He won an honorary Oscar in 2003 for his numerous memorable roles.

However, he did win four Golden Globes, a Bafta and an Emmy.

O'Toole was married to the actress Sian Phillips for 20 years until 1979. They had two children Kate and Patricia. He later had a son, Lorcan, by Karen Brown.