Galex - a space telescope designed to search for the ultraviolet light that newly born stars put out - hinted that NGC 6872 was made much larger in size by the collision.

BBC: Galaxy crash sparks biggest spiral

Croydon-born Woodward, who died in 2009, played police sergeant Howie, sent to search for a missing girl on the fictional island of Summerisle.

BBC: Robert Burns 'perfect' for The Wicker Man says Hardy