British actor Kenny Baker, who played robot R2-D2 in the Star Wars film franchise, has died aged 81 after a longstanding illness.

He had been cared for by nephew Drew Myerscough, who found him on Saturday morning, after suffering from serious illness during the last few years.

He told Sky News: "It was a love and affection that he got from Star Wars fans that kept him going, without any doubt.

Image: Baker played R2-D2 in the first six Star Wars films

"He loved meeting them, he loved receiving letters from them. He was amazed that, even after 30 odd years, the fans still basically adored him.

"He never let his size become an issue. He lived the life of a six foot man."


Baker, who was 3ft 8in tall, first played the robot character in Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977.

Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for! pic.twitter.com/rd94OEYaHi — Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) August 13, 2016

His niece, Abigail Shield. said: "He felt very blessed. He obviously enjoyed the time working at Star Wars, it gave him a whole new different view on his disability and it was taken as a positive thing."

"Unfortunately he was too ill to be part of the new Star Wars films. He was due to fly out to LA (for the most recent premiere) but doctors told him he was too unwell to fly. But he was consulted by certain people," she told Sky News.

Actor Ewan McGregor, who appeared in three of the Star Wars films, paid tribute on Twitter, writing: "So sorry to hear about this. It was lovely working with Kenny."

Rest in peace, Kenny Baker, the heart and soul of R2-D2. pic.twitter.com/NqOpxotxyK — 20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfox) August 13, 2016

20th Century Fox posted a photograph of C3PO standing next to Baker's Star Wars character, and wrote: "Rest in peace, Kenny Baker, the heart and soul of R2D2."

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, tweeted: "Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for!"

He continued in the role for the franchise's next five films, and also starred in Time Bandits, Labyrinth and Flash Gordon.

Image: Baker at the European premiere of the latest Star Wars in London last year

As well as playing the resourceful droid he was best known for, Baker also played an Ewok in the Star Wars films.

He also received a credit in last year's reboot Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Born in 1934, Baker was told by doctors that he was unlikely to live through puberty.