Dev Anand
The Bollywood actor has died aged 88. Reuters

Bollywood actor Dev Anand has died of a heart attack. He was aged 88.

The star, renowned for his stylish film work and his flamboyant, cheerful approach to life, starred in more than 110 films throughout his career.

According to reports, the acting legend, whose career spanning six decades, was in London for a medical check-up when he took a turn for the worst.

Anand first hit the silver-screen in 1946 but then found fame in the 1965 film Guide, in which he played the male lead opposite the classical Indian dancer turned actor Waheeda Rahman.

Celebrities across the globe have taken to social networking site Twitter to pay their tributes.

Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan tweeted that his death : "leaves a void never perhaps to be filled again."

Whilst novelist Salman Rushdie wrote: "I grew up watching your films. Sorry to say goodbye."

According to reports ,Anand's family plan to cremate his body in London on Tuesday or Wednesday.