FORMER Keighley man Peter Mayhew – the actor who played Chewbacca in Star Wars – has died aged 74.

In a statement on Twitter, his family said he died on April 30 at his home in Texas.

Mr Mayhew played the Wookiee warrior in Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), Revenge Of The Sith (2005) and The Force Awakens (2015).

The 7ft 3ins actor had moved to Keighley in 1987 from the south of England, and immediately fell in love with the town.

He made many appearances as Chewbacca to raise money for local charities and became a keen supporter of Keighley Rugby Union Football Club.

Mr Mayhew, who lived in Wheathead Lane, moved to the States in 2000.

In the Twitter statement, his family says: "The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away.

"He left us the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his North Texas home."

He became a naturalised US citizen in 2005 and is survived by his wife, Angie, and his three children.

The family's statement added: "He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame of the films from his knock-kneed running, firing his bowcaster from the hip, his bright blue eyes, down to each subtle movement of his head and mouth.

"But, to him, the Star Wars family meant so much more to him than a role in a film.

"The relationships that began then grew into the friends and family that he would love for decades to come. As the films released and became more well known, he had his eyes opened to the possibilities of what he could achieve with his role in the Star Wars universe.

"For more than 30 years Peter travelled all over the world spending time with fans and friends. Peter developed lifelong friendships with the other cast members and his fans while on the convention circuit touching the lives of millions."

Mr Mayhew later became involved in charities including Wounded Warriors, Make-A-Wish and 501st Legion, his family said.

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, described him as "the gentlest of giants."

He was the gentlest of giants-A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal friend who I loved dearly-I'm grateful for the memories we shared & I'm a better man for just having known him. Thanks Pete #RIPPeterMayhew #Heartbroken @TheWookieeRoars pic.twitter.com/8xbq9HEWF2

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) May 2, 2019 ">http://

A memorial service will be held for friends and family on June 29 while in December a memorial will be set up for fans in Los Angeles.

The family asked fans to make donations to the Peter Mayhew Foundation.

Mr Mayhew got the role in the original Star Wars film after creator George Lucas needed a tall actor to play hairy alien Chewbacca.

David Prowse, who was 6ft 6ins, was originally in the frame but chose instead to play Darth Vader.

Lucas discovered Mr Mayhew, who was chosen purely for his height.

Mr Mayhew did not reprise his role in 2017's Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but is listed in the credits as a Chewbacca consultant.