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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Sam Elliott-Gibbs, Reporter & Clare McCarthy

Star Wars actor dies suddenly age 56 after collapse outside Kings Cross station

Star Wars actor Paul Grant has died age 56 after suddenly collapsing outside Kings Cross station.

His life support machine was switched off on Sunday, his heartbroken family today confirmed.

Paul, 56 - who was 4ft 4in tall - is understood to have appeared in various films over the course of his career, including playing an Ewok in Return of the Jedi (1983).

He previously told the Mirror that he also appeared in the Star Wars film as robot R2-D2 in some scenes, saying that he stood in for co-star Kenny Baker who played the role.

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Paul's other credits are said to include working on Labyrinth (1986) and Willow (1988) as well as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001).

It was reported Paul was found by police after he collapsed outside Kings Cross station on Thursday afternoon.

British Transport Police told the Mirror: "Officers at King’s Cross responded to a medical emergency outside the station at just after 2pm on 16 March.

"They performed CPR on a man before paramedics arrived and took over his care. He was taken to a local hospital in a critical condition."

He was rushed to hospital, where the actor was declared brain dead, it has been claimed.

He played an Ewok in Stars Wars: Return of the Jedi (Lucasfilm)

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 2.08pm on Thursday 16 March to reports of an incident at St Pancras Station, Euston Road.

"We sent an ambulance crew and a medic in a response car. We treated a man at the scene and took him to hospital as a priority."

Paul shared three children; Sophie, Nicole and Robbie, with his ex-wife Janet Crowson.

Actor Paul's daughter Sophie Grant, 28, told The Sun that she's "devastated" after his life support machine was switched off on Sunday.

She described her father as a "legend" and said that he always brought a smile to those around him.

Discussing her late father, she said: "He always brought a smile and laughter to everyone's face. [...] He loved his daughters and son and his girlfriend Maria very much."

Paul's girlfriend Maria Dwyer, 64, described him as the "love of [her] life" whilst speaking to the outlet. She further commented: "Life is never going to be the same without him."

Meanwhile, Paul's family have set up a Go Fund Me page to raise funds towards his funeral.

The page reads: "He's going to missed if anyone could help would be much appreciated let's give him the best send off please".

Although Paul appeared in major films, he told the Mirror in 2014 that work dried up later in life and it was reported that he'd struggled after the collapse of his marriage.

He said at the time: "I've been on cocaine and it has just got worse. I'm drinking and smoking what I can get. I'm all right but I do need help."

Paul added in the interview almost a decade ago: "I had a family, I was married, now I'm divorced. I've lost everything. I've not got anything, my things, pictures, clothes are all over the place.

"I don't know what I want at the moment. I had money, I blew it all, I spent it on drugs and prostitutes." He added: "I've spent a lot of money on drugs and prostitutes, money from the films."

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