Legendary Glasgow-born actor John Cairney has died

The Scots star who found fame by playing Robert Burns on stage and screen was born in 1930 in the Baillieston area of the city.

John appeared in the films Jason and the Argonauts and the Titanic Drama - A Night to Remember, as well as also appearing in BBC Scotland drama Scotch on the Rocks.

Originally, he trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and was a stage actor before moving to television and films.

He briefly also attended art college but dropped out to pursue the life of an actor.

John also played a part in the British premiere of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible in Bristol and played Hamlet’s at Glasgow Citizens theatre.

The Glasgow actor's long association with the poet Robert Burns started when he portrayed him in the play There Was A Man at The Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh in the mid-1960s.

He then became associated with the popular Scots poet for the rest of his career, touring the world with his one-man play on Robert Burns.

During his life, he moved across the world to New Zealand with his second wife however, the couple moved back to his hometown at the turn of the century where he started painting.

Tributes have flocked in for the star on social media after his passing.

One Facebook user said: “Saddened to learn of the death of my friend John Cairney. One of Scotland’s most talented actors – he was delightful company, and we spent many entertaining times together.”

Another said: “I’m sorry to learn that we have lost wonderful actor, John Cairney.

“Not only a great actor, but John was also a singer, a writer, and a painter. What a gifted man. Definitely a life well lived. RIP.”

While an X (formerly known as Twitter user) said: “Met him a couple of times; nice guy. RIP John Cairney.”

Another added: "Very sad to hear of the passing of John Cairney. 

"I can remember watching him on Quiz Ball as part of the successful Celtic team when I was a youngster.

"May he rest in eternal peace."

Meanwhile, another user said: "RIP sir."

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), formerly the RSAMD, said they are also "incredibly" sad to hear the news.

They said: "We are so incredibly sad to hear of John Cairney's death. John was a member of our very first acting programme and was literally first in the classroom door when it opened in 1950.

"Throughout his life he was a passionate advocate for the power of performance and the transformative potential of the arts and arts education. He was a lovely man and will be sorely missed."