Hugh Jackman announces the tragic news that his dad died in the early hours of Father's Day 

Hugh Jackman has announced that his father, Christopher John Jackman, has died. 

In a post shared to Instagram on Monday, the Australian actor, 56, revealed the sad news. 

Alongside a photo of his father, he wrote: ‘In the early hours of Father’s Day (AU), my Dad peacefully passed away. 

Tragic: Hugh Jackman has announced that his father, Christopher John Jackman, has died. In a post shared to Instagram on Monday, the Australian actor, 56, revealed the sad news. Pictured together last year 

‘And whilst there is deep sadness, I am filled with such gratitude and love. My Dad was, in a word, extraordinary. 

‘He devoted his life to his family, his work and his faith. I pray he is now at peace with God.’ 

Christopher, a British-born, Cambridge-educated accountant, was believed to have been around 84 years old. 

He raised Hugh and his two brothers, Ian and Ralph, as a single father, in Sydney, Australia. 

Hugh’s mother, Grace McNeil, left the family and returned to England when Hugh was just eight years old, and he has referred to his dad as his ‘rock’ from then on.   

In 2012, Hugh broke down on 60 Minutes when discussing his mother Grace leaving his father, himself and his siblings to return to the UK. 

‘My father is my rock. It’s where I learned everything about loyalty, dependability, being there day in, day out, no matter what,’ Hugh said.

‘It’s always about the family,’ he added of what his father has instilled in him.