FORMER Keighley actor Peter Mayhew is returning to the role of Chewbacca in the latest Star Wars movie.

The gentle giant will go into action again as the hairy hero when The Force Awakens is released this evil forces of the Empire.

Peter, who stands seven feet three inches tall, made his name appearing in the original Star Wars trilogy in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

He moved to Keighley in 1987, living for more than a decade in Wheathead Lane, and spent the 1990s working in a South Craven timber yard.

He made many appearances as Wookiee warrior Chewbacca to raise money for local charities and became a keen supporter of Keighley Rugby Union Club.

He moved to the USA at the turn-of-the-century to live in Dallas with his Texan wife Angelique and went on to appear in the final film of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Revenge of the Sith, in 2005.

He met Angelique at one of the many science-fiction conventions he attends in response to the popularity of his character among Star Wars fans.

He made many appearances as Chewbacca to raise money for local charities and became a keen supporter of Keighley Rugby Union Club.

Peter, 71, hit the news recently when he wrote a comforting letter to a seven-year-old Star Wars fan following the death of his best friend.

The two boys had planned to watch The Force Awakens together but one of them died in an all-terrain vehicle accident.

The storyline of The Force Awakens was a closely-guarded secret until this week’s premiere, but trailers have shown Chewbacca flying into battle in the Millennium Falcon and in scenes with Harrison Ford, fellow Star Wars veteran Carrie Fisher and the latest film’s young stars.

Peter attended Monday’s premiere in Hollywood alongside other cast members.

He was dressed in a blue suit, T-shirt and leather shoes combo and with his long hair in a ponytail, and had a walking cane in the shape of a lightsaber.

He told journalists that he understood why his adorable but grumpy character was so popular with fans.

He said: “Chewbacca is more of a teddy bear or security blanket. He's who you count on when things get scary.

“His size isn't intimidating because he's on your side. Chewie doesn't waste time talking, he just comes in and saves the day.”

Peter said Chewbacca would not look to have aged as much as the human characters reprising their roles in the original 1977 film.