FOR whole generations of filmgoers Sir Christopher Lee was horror personified.

He died last week at 93, amazingly, still about to appear in a new film with Uma Thurman. Lee enjoyed a career spanning more than 70 years and was best known as Count Dracula in iconic Hammer Horror films of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Latterly, he was wonderfully evil as Saruman the White, the main baddie in the Lord of the Rings’ films.

That intense stare and brooding dark persona, combined with a wonderful, stentorian voice, scared the living daylights out of us. Even though most current horror films are either more chilling or just more gory, his passing still leaves a gap in the film market.

Sir Ian McKellen has been successful as Gandalf and in comedy roles, although Sir Anthony “Hannibal” Hopkins comes close to Lee on the scareometer.

However, today’s most evil character for me is former TV presenter Matthew Kelly who has become an impressive dramatic actor with the genuine power to frighten. Any thoughts?