James Marsters has paid a heartfelt tribute to Anthony Head.

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor "passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia", aged 72, and James has now paid a glowing tribute to his former co-star.

The 63-year-old actor - who played Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off show, Angel - wrote on Instagram: "There's a hole in the World. Anthony Head has passed on from us. He was an unflaggingly kind and steady presence on the set of Buffy, and the best actor in the cast. He was the best of us. I was lucky to have known, and learned from him. He left the world a better place for his presence. Thank you Tony for all you gave. (sic)"

Eliza Dushku, who played Faith on Buffy, has also paid tribute to her former co-star.

The 45-year-old actress said: "Tony H, for every scene and timed shared, give thanks. Rest in love and peace, kind sir. A dear one. (sic)"

Head - who played Rupert Giles in Buffy, Joss Whedon's hit teen vampire show - was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his death.

A statement released by Emily and Daisy Head, his daughters, read: "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father, Anthony Head.

"He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.

"It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many. We know how dearly he will be missed by friends, colleagues, and fans of the shows he was in - he loved his job very much, and he always considered himself incredibly lucky, to have been able to work alongside such exceptionally talented people, in such wonderful productions, across a career that spanned several decades.

"Our grief is far greater than the hole he has left behind, but we know his legacy will live on, in the shows he was a part of, and in the audiences that love them. How lucky we are to know we are able to watch him doing what he loved, even when he is no longer with us. We kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this difficult time."