Professor Snape signs off: Alan Rickman's letter to JK Rowling will melt your heartLondon, Jan 14(AZINS) Alan Rickman passed away on Thursday at the age of 69, and for most people of this generation, he will be forever immortalised as Severus Snape, the Half-Blood Prince who became the epitome of the deceptive hero. When the shooting for the Harry Potter series ended, Rickman wrote a heartfelt goodbye letter to JK Rowling and Harry Potter fans.

I have just returned from the dubbing studio where I spoke into a microphone as Severus Snape for absolutely the last time. On the screen were some flashback shots of Daniel, Emma, and Rupert from ten years ago. They were 12. I have also recently returned from New York, and while I was there, I saw Daniel singing and dancing (brilliantly) on Broadway. A lifetime seems to have passed in minutes. Three children have become adults since a phone call with Jo Rowling, containing one small clue, persuaded me that there was more to Snape than an unchanging costume, and that even though only three of the books were out at that time, she held the entire massive but delicate narrative in the surest of hands. It is an ancient need to be told in stories. But the story needs a great storyteller. Thanks for all of it, Jo.

We will miss you, Alan.