Film star's grief over 'suicide' of another son

Fifties film star Richard Todd was described as "devastated" today after the suspected suicide of his eldest son.

The former matinee idol, now 86, was told the news after his son's body was discovered early yesterday.

Peter Todd, 53, is believed to have killed himself in a car near his home in Kent. His death comes eight years after another of Mr Todd's sons took his own life.

A family member said: "He is devastated and not able to speak about it right now."

Mr Todd's youngest son Seumas was only 20 when he killed himself with a shotgun in 1997.

In 2001 the actor spoke of the moment when he found out Seumas was dead. "I walked into the living room and heard the voice of Andrew, Seumas's older brother, on the phone saying, 'No, I'm afraid it's definitely suicide.'"

The family would not confirm that Peter had killed himself but a spokesman for Kent Police said a man had been found dead and that there were no suspicious circumstances.

The body was found in a car in the car park of East Malling village hall, near Maidstone. Officers cordoned off the scene and are investigating.

The actor, who starred in Fifties war classics including The Dambusters and The Longest Day, has two other children, Andrew and Fiona.