Michael Douglas dressed in purple to pay homage to Prince as he stepped out at the Tribeca Film Festival.

The actor said he really felt “a loss” as he walked the red carpet kitted out in a purple shirt and jumper.

“He was such a private man, protected his work so much,” he said. “But he was an extraordinary talent, just an extraordinary talent.”

Prince performing on stagePrince (PA)

Michael has a connection to Prince: he gave him his 1985 Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song Score for Purple Rain.

The star was at the festival to help film-makers Smriti Keshari and Eric Schlosser promote their multimedia installation, The Bomb.

The immersive experience, which closed the festival, puts the viewer in the middle of the film, which is displayed on screens around them while a live band plays in the centre.