Tributes have been paid to the Brotherhood actor Aaron Eaton, who has died days after the film’s release.

The 29-year-old played the character Teardrop in the third instalment of actor-turned-director Noel Clarke’s trilogy of films about gang life in London.

Eaton was found dead this week; the cause of death remains unclear.

Clarke and the grime rapper Stormzy, who also star in the film, were among those to post tributes on Twitter.

Rest in perfect peace my bro 🙏🏿❤️ can't believe it, love and prayers to your family smh pic.twitter.com/K5uaz3nq1h — #MERKY (@Stormzy1) September 7, 2016

“This one has hit home I can’t lie. You had a kind heart and so many people will be broken by this, rest up my bro,” wrote Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Omari.

Clarke wrote: “RIP Aaron. Spoke only a few days ago. I had more for you. Prayers to your family.”

... RIP Aaron. Spoke only a few days ago. I had more for you. Prayers to your family. pic.twitter.com/RgQnJSiSJe — Noel Clarke (@NoelClarke) September 7, 2016

Eaton, who lived with his mother and younger brother James in New Addington, south London, was nominated for the best actor prize at the International Achievement Recognition awards for his appearance in the 2015 British film Awol – Absent Without Love.

According to the London Evening Standard, he also worked as a mentor to young actors in south London, giving talks at youth clubs and working with talent agencies.

Brotherhood began its preview run in the UK on 28 August and grossed £971,000 in its first four days. It then took a further £1.01m last weekend, for a seven-day opening total of £1.98m.