Luke Evans says ‘there will only be one Tim Curry’, following actor’s death

Hollywood star Luke Evans has paid tribute to Tim Curry, who has died at the age of 80.

Curry was best known for playing the outlandish Frank-N-Furter in film musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He first played the role on stage in 1973 before the film version two years later.

Evans took on the role in the cult classic musical on Broadway, which concluded earlier this month.

The Welsh star previously said a song from the musical helped launch his career.

In a social media post, Evans shared a letter he wrote to Curry “with only three weeks left before I finally hang up the fishnets and heels” saying “there is, and always will be, only one Tim Curry.”

The letter reads, external: “Although we’ve never met, you’ve been part of this journey from the very beginning. Every actor who puts on Frank inevitably walks into a conversation that started with you, and I’ve felt that every single night.

“Being compared to you has been one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received, even though it’s a comparison no one could ever hope to live up to. There is, and always will be, only one Tim Curry.

“I’ve never tried to recreate what you did. That would be impossible. I simply hope to honour the extraordinary character you brought to life, while finding my own way through him.

“As this chapter comes to an end, I just wanted to say thank you. For your fearless performance, for creating something so enduring, and for inspiring generations of actors to be a little braver than they thought they could be.

“I hope, wherever you are, you’d approve of one more Frank having the time of his life in those heels.

“With enormous admiration, Luke.”