Paul Ritter starred as Martin Goodman in Friday Night Dinner for six series (Picture: COLIN ROSS)

The creator of Friday Night Dinner has paid tribute to Paul Ritter, praising the star as ‘the greatest actor I ever worked with’.

Paul died aged 54from a brain tumour, with stars fromhis impressive list of TV shows and films all sharing their heartbreak over the sudden news.

One of Paul’s most celebrated roles came in the Channel 4 comedy Friday Night Dinner, where he stared as father Martin Goodman for six seasons from 2011 to 2020.

Robert Popper, who created Friday Night Dinner, said he was ‘devastated’ by Paul’s death.

‘Devastated at this terribly sad news,’ he tweeted. ‘Paul was a lovely, wonderful human being. Kind, funny, super caring and the greatest actor I ever worked with x.’

As his followers passed on their condolences, Robert added: ‘Thank you to everyone for sending messages about Paul Ritter. Much appreciated. He was a man who touched so many hearts. My thoughts go out to his lovely family.’

Green Wing star Stephen Mangan, who studied with Paul before they both went on to find fame, said he was ‘struggling’ to find a way to talk about the actor’s death.

‘My friend since we were students together. So much talent and it shone from him even as a teenager. I was so lucky to know him and lucky too to work with him many times over the years. Wonderful man. RIP,’ he tweeted.