Theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his friend and colleague. He shared a statement to Instagram after the death of Peter Thompson.

In the post, the 77-year-old composer emotionally penned: "Peter Thompson was a theatre publicist like no other. He would stand at the door on first night and tell critics on the way in if he thought the show was rubbish. So he could get interviews in key places nobody else could. Theatre will miss his laconic drone of a voice rounding up the reviews after opening night." The work of the West End publicist includes the publicity for ALW's Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. He also helped launch Mamma Mia in the West end, and represented Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Barbra Streisand and Shirley MacLaine when they were doing shows and events in the UK.

He forged a friendship with Lloyd Webber during the early stages of the composer's career.

On one occasion, Lloyd Webber enquired whether Thompson could suggest a young producer to collaborate with on a musical he was creating based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats.

Without hesitation, he recommended Cameron Mackintosh and arranged their introduction.

Mackintosh described Thompson as "an inspired shambling showman (with an immense capacity for wine) and a laconic drawl, who could be more lethal than any critic if he thought your show wasn't up to much"

"Often after a middling opening you would ask Peter: 'What should we do?' 'Close it,' would be his brutally honest reply.

"But if he believed in your show, he was an incredibly perceptive evangelist who would hound any editor until he got the story and publicity he wanted. He often championed material that wasn't obvious [but] that he saw as special, and more often than not he was right."

Thompson died aged 81. His husband, Stephen Barton, confirmed the tragic news to Deadline. Barton, who partnered Thompson for 45 years said that Thompson died on Wednesday night. "He passed peacefully in his sleep," he said.

Others who knew the publicist commented on Lloyd Webber's post. One said: "Such sad news....he was the best! RIP," as one more wrote: "Heartbreaking." Someone else penned: "Condolences to all."

"He was always fun to deal with. His voice still purrs in my ear. He never rang in vain," another person enthused.