Family and friends have paid tribute to a "wonderful and unique" actor and mime artist killed by a train at East Croydon station on Christmas Eve.

Stuart Luis, who appeared in major films including 28 Days Later as well as cult comedy TV series Red Dwarf, was described by loved ones this week a "born performer".

The married 44-year-old was found dead at on the tracks at East Croydon just after 9am on December 24.

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During a varied and international career spanning two decades, Mr Luis, of Carshalton, also worked as a choreographer, puppeteer, videographer and costume designer.

He was pictured as a French mime on a striking cover of Time magazine in 2007, featured in a music video for the Cranberries and was a motion capture artist for Playstation 2 game The Great Escape.

Family and friends released a statement this week speaking of their "intense sorrow and shock" at learning of Mr Luis's death.

Your Local Guardian:

Stuart Luis was found dead at East Croydon station on Christmas Eve

They described him as a "husband, son, brother, uncle and a wonderful and unique friend to all fortunate enough to have known him".

The statement added: "Stuart was loved and admired by hundreds if not thousands of people, his happiness and warmth a source of great energy and inspiration and indeed of great humour."

Mr Luis's last film credit was 2005, when he acted in British horror flick The Descent.

He also featured in Blade II, directed by Guillermo del Toro, the BBC comedy series The Late Edition, and several commercials, as well as performing as a mime artist at private parties and running workshops in schools and colleges.

His family said: "He was a born performer, and such was his success at his chosen art he spent much of his life travelling the world as an actor, a mime artist, costume designer and videographer, and taught many others the skills of his trade along the way."

Police, paramedics and London's Air Ambulance were called to East Croydon station just after 9am on Christmas Eve.

British Transport Police initially said Mr Luis's death was being treated as unexplained, but London Ambulance Service later confirmed he had been hit by a train.

Lines through the station were partially closed for several hours.

An inquest into Mr Luis's death is due to be opened today.