Harry Potter fans are raising their wands in the sky following the death of Michael Gambon

Harry Potter fans are understandably devastated after one of the film franchise's biggest stars died.

Michael Gambon played Professor Albus Dumbledore across six of the eight films (with Richard Harris portraying the legendary Hogwarts headmaster in the first two movies).

A statement on behalf of his wife Lady Gambon and son Fergus Gambon, issued by publicist Clair Dobbs, said: “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.

“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.

"Michael was 82. We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”

It's a devastating blow to the Harry Potter fan community and they are rallying together in the wake of the sad news.

Some have even whipped out their favourite wands and pointed them into the sky in tribute to the late actor.

Many others took to social media to say they will be doing a similar tribute tonight.

This actually happened in the film franchise when Dumbledore died in The Half Blood Prince.

After falling to his death at the hands of Severus Snape, Harry Potter walks over to the headmaster's lifeless body while the rest of Hogwarts students and teachers gather around.

Professor McGonagall leads the tributes by putting her wand in the sky and the tip emits a small light.

Everyone around her does the same thing and they pause to remember an icon of magic.

Born in Dublin in 1940, Gambon came up through the Royal National Theatre with fellow acting legend Laurence Olivier and went on to win many awards including three Olivier Awards, four BAFTAs, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

In 1999, he received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II as recognition of his services to acting over the decades.

While he starred in loads of Hollywood films, Gambon also enjoyed working with Shakespeare, appearing in many productions of his plays, including Othello, Macbeth, Hamlet, and Coriolanus.

His first foray into film was in a 1965 adaptation of Othello, and that role catapulted him into a career that would defy categorisation and see him star in dozens of other productions.

As well as achieving critical acclaim for many of his performances, he also found mainstream appeal working with directors such as Wes Anderson – with whom he made The Life Aquatic with Steve Zizzou and Fantastic Mr. Fox – and in the Harry Potter franchise.