Hollywood actors Ewan McGregor and Jamie Bell are among the stars who have paid tribute to celebrated Scottish author Iain Banks following his death on Sunday (09Jun13).

The Crow Road writer lost his battle with gall bladder cancer just two months after he went public with news of his illness, and his death has sent shockwaves across the entertainment world.

Fellow Scot MCGregor admits he was devastated to hear news of Banks' passing, writing in a post on Twitter.com, "So sad to wake up to the news Iain Banks has passed away. What a wonderful writer. He'll be greatly missed," while actor Bell adds, "RIP Iain Banks. Will never forget the first time I curiously picked up The Wasp Factory nor its life long effect it's had (sic) on me."

Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon was also among the famous fans who saluted the renowned writer, posting, "Terribly sad; one of our greatest modern authors, Iain Banks has died. It's hard to measure just how much pleasure he has given to how many."

Red Hot Chili Peppers star Flea adds, "Ahhhh Iain Banks gone to the other side. I loved his one of a kind novels, the guy was a literary king. R I P."

Banks' literary contemporary, fellow Scottish author Irvine Welsh, also led tributes and decided to toast Banks' passing with a drink of whiskey. In a series of posts in Twitter.com, he writes, "RIP Iain Banks. One of the finest writers and greatest imaginations ever... Feel so sad to hear about Iain Banks. It's early here (in America), but I'm off out to the pub to toast one of my all time literary heroes with a malt... The Wasp Factory was one of those books that changed my life & made me want to be a writer..."

Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin adds, "As many of you know, terrible news of Iain Banks. Away the crow road far too soon... Right now I'd like to kick cancer in its sniggering head, but instead I'll take a single malt."