Victoria Wood has passed away, aged 62

It is a sad day for British comedy.

Victoria Wood has died aged 62 after a short battle with cancer. Her publicist Neil Reading relayed the sad news on Wednesday afternoon.

Reading said: "Victoria Wood has sadly passed away, after a short but brave battle with cancer. "The multi Bafta award-winning writer, director, actor and comedian died peacefully at her north London home with family this morning. She was 62. "The family ask for privacy at this very sad time." Wood was a true pioneer in the days when breaking into the mainstream as a female comedian was even tougher than it is now. She combined her uniquely northern wit with an acute observational eye, and rose to national fame in the 1980s with her TV series Victoria Wood As Seen On TV. Her collaborations with the likes of Julie Walters and Celia Imrie, particular in the memorable Acorn Antiques parody, endure to this day along with many other classic sketches She was an accomplished musician and her comedy numbers were hugely popular. In 2005, she wrote, composed and starred in a sold-out West End run of Acorn Antiques: The Musical!. The actress, singer and songwriter was awarded a CBE in 2008. She will be missed but her comedy lives on.