Film director Bryan Forbes whose work includes the original 1970s horror classic Stepford Wives and Whistle Down The Wind has died “following a long illness” at the age of 86.

Forbes, who started his career as an actor, was married to the actress Nanette Newman, died surrounded by his family at his home in the UK.

He was awarded the Dilys Powell Award for outstanding contribution to cinema at the London Film Critics’ Circle Awards in 2006.