The Academy Award-winning actor Sir Mark Rylance has paid tribute to his brother after he was killed in a cycling accident.

The star revealed his brother Jonathan, 60, died after after the crash in California. He suffered serious head injuries. Both were born in Ashford.

Sir Mark revealed the news as he was forced to pull-out of his West End show Jerusalem in order for him to attend his sibling's funeral this weekend.

He explained: "I am so sorry to tell you that on 28 May my dear brother Jonathan Waters was knocked from his bicycle and tragically died of his injuries.

"In order to attend his funeral in California, I unfortunately have to miss three performances of Jerusalem over Saturday 11 and Sunday June 12.”

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he added: "I only have kind words for Jonno.

"I've known him for 60 years. He was a wonderful man. He believed there was more to life than work."

His brother, who was born shortly before the family moved to the US when the actor was a small child, worked as a sommelier.

Sir Mark, who was born Mark Waters, returned to England in 1978 to pursue a hugely successful acting career.

Acclaimed for his theatre work, he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Bridge of Spies and also appeared in the live-action version of the Roald Dahl classic The BFG.