Phil Coulter and Roma Downey join tributes to the late John Hume

Mr. Coulter said: "Deeply saddened at the news about John Hume. Apart from being a political giant who worked ceaselessly for peace, he was a fine human being, a dyed in the wool Derryman and a good and loyal friend since schooldays.They don't build men like John anymore."

Roma Downey, from her home in Malibu, said: "Just waking up in California to learn that John Hume has passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with Pat and the family. John was a great personal friend as well a great friend of Ireland."

'Derry Girls' creator Lisa McGee said: "I have no words that could possibly do this man’s life and legacy justice. Perhaps I should just use the ones he said time and time again: 'We Shall Overcome.' Thank you John. You gave us peace, now rest in it."

The County Down comic Patrick Kielty, whose father John was shot dead by the UFF in Dundrum in 1988, said: "So sad to hear about John Hume this morning. In our darkest days he knew the only thing worth fighting for was peace. And he refused to give up until he helped delivery it. Thank you for changing our lives. And our future. RIP."

The English screenwriter, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who used to write 'Coronation Street' and delivered the Return of Colmcille pageant during the City of Culture year in 2013, said: "This is so sad. A proper hero. A great and good man. So beloved."

He added: "Just taking a moment to reflect that the little city of Derry produced two gigantically deserving Nobel prize laureates before we even mention the Undertones and the Derry Girls and without reaching back in time to when Columcille and Co. saved civilisation. Oh. And Dopey Dick."

And the famous Field Day theatre company that was set up in Derry in 1980 at the height of the conflict, tweeted: "RIP John Hume (1937-2020), a great Irishman and a great Derryman."