Idris Elba has lead the tributes from the showbiz world following the death of Nelson Mandela.

The British actor - who played the former South African president in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom - said he was grieving alongside the rest of the world.

"I am stunned at this very moment, in mourning with the rest of the world and Madiba's family," said the star. "We have lost one of the greatest human beings to have walked this earth, I only feel honoured to be associated with him. He is in a better place now."

Stars from the worlds of film, TV and music have tweeted messages and released statements after it was announced that Mandela had died at the age of 95.

South African actress Charlize Theron said: "My thoughts and love go out to the Mandela family. Rest in Peace Madiba. You will be missed, but your impact on this world will live forever." She added: "There will never be words to say what I'm feeling right now. I am saddened to the depths of my soul. Truly."

U2 frontman Bono, who met Mandela on many occasions, said: "It was as if he was born to teach the age a lesson in humility, in humour and above all else in patience.

"In the end, Nelson Mandela showed us how to love rather than hate, not because he had never surrendered to rage or violence, but because he learnt that love would do a better job. Mandela played with the highest stakes.

"He put his family, his country, his time, his life on the line, and he won most of these contests. Stubborn til the end for all the right reasons, it felt like he very nearly outstared his maker. Finally, he blinked. And some of us cry, knowing our eyes were opened to so much because of him."

Morgan Freeman, who played Mandela in the 2009 movie Invictus, said the world had "lost one of the true giants of the past century".

Follow the world's reaction to the passing of Nelson Mandela with our live blog below: