The To Watch Pile is sad to see the passing of author and filmmaker William Peter Blatty, aged 89, who wrote both the novel and the screenplay for The Exorcist, of a form of blood cancer known as multiple myeloma.

The director of The Exorcist, William Friedkin, announced his passing on Twitter.

Rest In Peace, Mr Blatty.

Note: why not take a moment to look at how you can donate to cancer research, including the one Mr Blatty passed away from, by contacting the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.