Martin Freeman’s moving tribute to ‘Liverpool king’ Bernard Hill.

Responder star Martin Freeman said working with Bernard Hill on the crime drama was a “fantastic treat” following the actor’s death aged 79.

Bernard, who died on Sunday May 5, made his final TV appearance alongside Martin in the second series of the BBC drama. He played Tom Carson, the estranged father of the protagonist Chris.

In a statement to PA News, Martin said: “Working with Bernard on The Responder has been a fantastic pleasure for all of us. He was modest, funny, and of course, ridiculously talented. a privilege for all of us to have shared his last brilliant performance.”

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During his career, Bernard played King Theoden in the Oscar-winning fantasy franchise Lord of the Rings, directed by Sir Peter Jackson, alongside Elijah Wood’s Frodo Baggins.

He was also well known for his role as Captain Edward Smith in the box-office juggernaut Titanic, as well as roles in Boys From The Blackstuff and Wolf Hall.

Elijah Wood shared a photo of Bernard taken by their co-star Viggo Mortensen, who played Aragorn, and wrote: “So much for our friend our king Bernard Hill. We will never forget you.” He also shared a quote from JRR Tolkien’s novel, on which the films are based, writing: “For he was a gentle heart and a great king and he kept his vows; and he rose from shadow on a last beautiful morning.”

Dominic Monaghan, who played Merry Brandybuck in Lord of the Rings, shared the same photo of Bernard taken by Mortensen.

He wrote: “The Broken King has passed on to gray havens, but he will always be remembered. #ribbernard.”

Bernard joined the cast of The Lord of the Rings for the second film in the trilogy, The Two Towers in 2002, which won two Academy Awards for Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects. He returned to the franchise for 2003’s The Return Of The King, which won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sir Peter.

Bernard first made a name for himself as Yosser Hughes in Alan Bleasdale’s BBC drama series Boys From The Blackstuff, about five unemployed men, which aired in 1982. The role earned him a TV Bafta nomination in 1983, the same year in which the series received the Bafta for the best drama series.

He went on to play Captain Smith in the 1997 Oscar-winning epic Titanic, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

In the 2015 BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novel Wolf Hall, about the court of Henry VIII, he played the Duke of Norfolk, the uncle of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.

The BBC described him as an “incredible talent” who “blazed a trail on screen” during his career.

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said: “Bernard Hill has blazed a trail on screen and his long career of iconic and remarkable roles is testament to his incredible talent.

“From Boys From The Blackstuff, to Wolf Hall, The Responder and many more, we are truly honored to have worked with Bernard at the BBC. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.”

His other credits include Clint Eastwood’s True Crime, the 1989 romantic comedy Shirley Valentine, the 1999 film adaptation of Great Expectations, and the 2002 film The Scorpion King, starring Dwayne Johnson.

Actress and singer Barbara Dickson, who starred alongside him in a musical based on the Beatles, was among those to pay tribute, describing him as a “wonderful actor”. Alongside a photo of them together, she wrote: “It is with great sadness that I note the death of Bernard Hill.

“We worked together on John, Paul, George, Ringo and Bert, great show (by) Willy Russell 1974-1975. A truly wonderful actor. It was a privilege to have crossed paths with him. RIP Benny x”

Bernard was due to attend Liverpool Comic Con on Saturday, but the event announced on the day that he had to pull out at the last minute due to his partner falling “very ill”.

The post on X added: “He sends his sincere apologies and thanks you all for your understanding. He sends his love to you all and will see you again soon at another Monopoly event.”

The event said they were “heartbroken” and would be thinking of his family at this “very sad time”.

Footage from the event shows Bernard’s co-star paying tribute to him on stage, with Sean Astin, who played Samwise Gamgee, saying: “He was bold, he was cocky, he was irascible.”

Billy Boyd, who played Peregrin ‘Pippin’ Took, said: “We were watching the films and I said to Dom, I don’t think anyone has said Tolkien’s words as great as Bernard.”

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