'There will only be one Tim Curry', says Luke Evans

Hollywood star Luke Evans has paid tribute to Tim Curry, who has died at the age of 80.

Curry was best known for playing the outlandish Frank-N-Furter in film musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He first played the role on stage in 1973 before the film version two years later.

Evans took on the role in the cult classic musical on Broadway, which concluded earlier this month.

The Welsh star previously said a song from the musical helped launch his career.

In a social media post, Evans shared a letter he wrote to Curry "with only three weeks left before I finally hang up the fishnets and heels" saying "there is, and always will be, only one Tim Curry."

The letter reads: "Although we've never met, you've been part of this journey from the very beginning. Every actor who puts on Frank inevitably walks into a conversation that started with you, and I've felt that every single night.

"Being compared to you has been one of the greatest compliments I've ever received, even though it's a comparison no one could ever hope to live up to. There is, and always will be, only one Tim Curry.

"I've never tried to recreate what you did. That would be impossible. I simply hope to honour the extraordinary character you brought to life, while finding my own way through him.

"As this chapter comes to an end, I just wanted to say thank you. For your fearless performance, for creating something so enduring, and for inspiring generations of actors to be a little braver than they thought they could be.

"I hope, wherever you are, you'd approve of one more Frank having the time of his life in those heels.

"With enormous admiration, Luke."

The musical comedy follows an engaged couple whose car breaks down in the rain.

They seek help at a nearby castle and encounter the eccentric strangers who live there, holding a party.

The song Sweet Transvestite has been described as the first big, glam-rock aria of the musical, and is the audience's introduction to Dr Frank-N-Furter.

It was originated by Tim Curry in both the stage show and the film adaptation.

The show's popularity snowballed and resulted in a big-screen adaptation, which also starred Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Richard O'Brien.

It was not an immediate hit at cinemas but became a fan favourite and holds the record for the longest-running theatrical release in film history.

Pontypool-born Evans, previously revealed how appearing on Broadway was always on his "bucket list", and how he chose a song from the 1973 musical to "catch the attention" of talent agents at an end-of-year showcase when he was 17 or 18.

Speaking to New York Theatre Guide, the 47-year-old said appearing in The Rocky Horror Show would bring back memories of his theatrical audition.

"We had to choose a song from a show that was sort of 'in your face', something that would really catch the eye, the attention of the agents in the audience," he said.

"And I just went 'well, there's this song called Sweet Transvestite', which really is punchy and powerful and epic so that was my first introduction [to the musical].

"I knew the song, I wasn't really aware of the show as much," Evans said.

"But then I remember all over Soho and all over the West End, there used to be these theatres where people used to come and see the show and participate as they do with the film, so I've seen it many times since."