A life in pictures: Sir John Gielgud

Sir John Gielgud, one of the UK's finest actors, has died aged 96.

Theatrical export: As Hamlet on the New York stage in 1936

After receiving his knighthood from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1953, with his mother and sister

Posing with fellow actors Sir Lewis Casson, Dame Sybil Thorndike and Diana Wynard (right) in 1954

With co-star Doreen Aris, Sir John watches a cake being cut to mark the opening of The Tempest in the West End in 1958

With Sir John Mills (right) during a performance of Veterans at the Royal Court Theatre in 1972

With Ralph Richardson (left) and Laurence Olivier filming the TV drama Wagner in 1982

80 years young: Birthday celebrations at the Old Vic, London, in 1984

Picking up a Bafta fellowship award in 1992

Covered in coloured string during his 90th birthday celebrations

Attending the unveiling of a plaque for the playwright Oscar Wilde in 1995