Terence Stamp predicted he would die before filming started on the Priscilla Queen of the Desert sequel

The film's director Stephan Elliot told Deadline.com: "Terence wasn't getting any younger, and that's a fact he loved to shove down our throats almost every day ...

"Terence was indignant that he didn't want a digital clone of himself playing [his character] Bernadette. He wanted the chance to put the character down himself. And I will quote him in this case. He said: 'Just in case I don't make the start line' ...

"And with the blessing of him and his family, [co-stars] Guy [Pearce], Hugo [Weaving] and the financiers, I decided to pre-shoot all the Bernadette scenes."

Elliot revealed it was a "gruelling" shoot for the elderly actor, but Stamp did an excellent job.

However, the moviemaker feels "haunted" by the moment he wrapped the shoot.

He added: "He was 87, turning 88... And I put him through a multi-cam shoot, spread over several grueling sessions. All I can say is, that the old trouper gave it everything he had.

"He hated putting the wig on again. But at the same time, my God, you could have bottled that smile. I mean, it was brilliant fun, and he really did have the time of his life.

"But calling 'that's a wrap' on Terence Stamp ... are going to be words that will haunt me to the day I die."

Elliot went on to reveal production on the rest of the movie has been put on hold to give him time to mourn the loss of his dear friend.

He explained: "I'm still teary most days, but at the moment, I just need to down tools for a bit and mourn ...

"Right now, I've just had to tell everybody to down tools, I really need time to mourn. I need time to work this out. What happens next?

"Does anybody want to see the film now that he's passed? I mean, I just don't know. But I guess with a bit of time, we're going to find out ...

"Now that he's put the effort in, and basically he gave the last months of his life to this. I think people want to see it. It's a tough one ... It's a real tough one."