ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Darth Vader Statue Appears On Edward Colston Plinth In Tribute To David Prowse

Darth Vader Statue Appears On Edward Colston Plinth In Tribute To David Prowse

The Bristolian actor died last week aged 85

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A small figurine of Darth Vader has appeared on the plinth left vacant after the statue of Edward Colston was chucked into the harbour, in an apparent tribute to the late actor David Prowse.

Prowse, who was from Bristol, died at the age of 85 last week. He was famous for playing the physical role of Darth Vader in several Star Wars movies, whereas James Earl Jones voiced the Sith lord.

The figurine is only one foot tall, and it is not known who put it there, or whether they had permission.

It now adorns the platform that was previously home to the statue of the slave trading Bristolian businessman Edward Colston, until that was taken down and hurled into the harbour during a Black Lives Matter protest in June.

PA

If it hasn't been put there with permission, the likelihood is that it will be taken down. Since Colston's statue was toppled, a number of other statues and sculptures have been placed on the plinth.

The first - and probably most fitting - was a statue of protester Jen Reid. It depicted Reid standing atop the plinth with her fist raised in the air as she had done at the protest.

However, that statue was taken down after just one day.

Speaking after Prowse's death, Star Wars director George Lucas said the actor had made the character of Darth Vader 'leap off the page'.

PA

The American cinema legend said Prowse had 'an imposing stature and movement performance to match the intensity and undercurrent of Vader's presence'.

Anthony Daniels, who played robot C-3PO, said: "Dave kind of invented this ability to 'go to the dark side' and be cool about it,

"It was a lovely contrast because he was a very benign figure and really very calm and relaxed,

"I'd see him round the set and he'd be lounging in one of those studio chairs. He was always very quietly-spoken, very unassuming."

PA

Prowse's daughter Rachel thanked the litany of stars who paid tribute to her dad, writing: "Dad would have been over the moon about the reaction he has had today.

"Me and the rest of the family have been overwhelmed by the lovely comments and the sharing of some hilarious memories. Thanks twitter for brightening a difficult day."

As well as his role in Star Wars, Prowse was a bodybuilder who played the Green Cross Code Man in a successful road safety campaign.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, TV and Film, UK Entertainment, US Entertainment