Roger Michell dead: Notting Hill and My Cousin Rachel director dies aged 65

NOTTING Hill director Roger Michell has tragically died aged 65.

Roger was also famed for films Venus and My Cousin Rachel, starring Sam Claflin and Rachel Weisz.

A statement from his publicist said: "It is with great sadness that the family of Roger Michell, director, writer and father of Harry, Rosie, Maggie and Sparrow, announce his death at the age of 65 on September 22nd."

Roger was born in South Africa in 1965 to his British diplomat father.

His dad's job meant he spent parts of his childhood in Beirut, Damascus and Prague before attending Clifton College in Bristol.

He began directing and writing short plays before studying English at Queen's College where he won the RSC Buzz Goodbody Award for Best Student Director.

Roger moved to Brighton after graduating and became an assistant director at the Royal Court Theatre.

In 1985, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and also directed several productions at the National Theatre.

His theatre credits include Nina Raine's Consent, Harold Pinter's The Homecoming and Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood.

It was while at the National Theatre that Richard Curtis asked Roger to direct British blockbuster Notting Hill with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.