BBC Breakfast host announces breaking news as Hollywood star dies

Ben Thompson announced some heartbreaking news during Wednesday's show.

During the programme, the host informed viewers that Hollywood actor Val Kilmer had died.

He said: "The American actor Val Kilmer, who is best known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and The Doors, has died at the age of 65.

"After being diagnosed with throat cancer in 204, Kilmer had lost most of his voice, but still appeared on the most recent Top Gun film."

The show then handed over to their entertainment correspondent, Lizo Mzimba, who had a look back on the Hollywood star's career.

In the clip, viewers saw snippets of the actor in some of his roles, including playing Iceman in Top Gun, Tom Cruise's rival.

The BBC correspondent informed people that Val Kilmer was the youngest ever actor to attend the prestigious Julliard School in New York.

"Throughout the early 1990s, he was one of Hollywood's hottest stars and the high-profile roles piled up," Lizo added.

As Val's career continued to play on-screen, viewers saw him alongside Warwick Davis in Willow, playing Jim Morrison in The Doors, starring in the Western flick Tombstone and replacing Michael Keaton in Batman Forever.

More recently, people saw Val feature in Top Gun's sequel Maverick, where his character Iceman was suffering from the same throat cancer he had been diagnosed with.

Val's daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, announced her father had died from pneumonia in LA on Tuesday, according to Daily Mail.

Since the announcement of his death, tributes have been pouring in from those in the industry.

Sharing a photo of them both together, actor Josh Brolin said: "See ya, pal. I'm going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There's not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts."

Actor Josh Gad said: "RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon."

Top Gun's official movie account on Twitter said: "Remembering Val Kilmer, whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman."

BBC Breakfast continues weekdays on BBC One from 6am