Director of Elvis biopic ‘heartbroken’ after death of actress Shonka Dukureh

Baz Luhrmann arriving for a special screening of Elvis (Ian West/PA)

Director Baz Luhrmann has said he felt “truly blessed” to have had time with Shonka Dukureh, who starred in his Elvis biopic, before her death aged 44.

The actress, who played Big Mama Thornton in the film about superstar Elvis Presley, was found dead in a bedroom at her home in Nashville.