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ANTHONY MINGHELLA DIES

By Ross Findon - Tuesday, March 18, 2008
OSCAR-winning Isle of Wight film director Anthony Minghella has died in a London hospital, aged 54.
His mother, Gloria, said the family were devastated by the news.
Mr Minghella directed The English Patient in 1996, which scooped nine academy awards.
His agent confirmed he underwent surgery at Charing Cross Hospital last week for a growth on his neck.
Although the surgery appeared to be successful, he died of a haemorrhage at the hospital at 5am yesterday (Tuesday).
Mr Minghella's screen career began as a scriptwriter for Eastenders and he made his film debut with Truly, Madly, Deeply in 1990, which earned him critical and popular acclaim.
He went on to direct The Talented Mr Ripley and Cold Mountain.
He was one of only two people to have been awarded the freedom of the Island and was made a CBE in 2001.
Island-born Mr Minghella was also chairman of the British Film Institute for five years.
A 90-minute pilot for a TV series based on the best-seller, The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, directed by Mr Minghella and co-written with Richard Curtis, is due to be screened on BBC One this Easter.
His death came just days after that of his mentor Gareth Pritchard, whom he thanked in an Oscar acceptance speech.
A book of condolence was opened at County Hall this afternoon and the flag flying over the building was lowered to half mast as a mark of respect to the man dubbed the Island's most famous son and greatest ambassador.
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• Full coverage in this week's County Press, on sale from Thursday.