ACTOR Brian Cox has said he went into "survival mode" following the death of his father from pancreatic cancer.

The star of HBO's Succession, 73, was eight when his mill worker father died, three weeks after being diagnosed with the disease.

Speaking on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, the Scottish actor told how his mother suffered a breakdown and the family were left in debt.

Cox said: "I just went into survival mode. That's what has sustained me throughout my life and with this present (coronavirus) crisis, I am currently in survival mode."