Caroline Aherne has died at the age of 52.
The comedian, who wrote and appeared in sitcom The Royle Family, had been suffering from cancer, her publicist said.
Along with her role as Denise Royle, Aherne was also well known for playing Mrs Merton as well as parts in 1990s sketch show, The Fast Show. More recently, she had been the narrator of Gogglebox.
Aherne had recently been battling throat cancer and it was recently reported by the Manchester Evening News that she had voiced a Government campaign urging people to cut down on cigarettes and alcohol.
The news of her death was announced on Saturday afternoon.
It’s yet another sad loss in the British entertainment industry in 2016.