Comedian Caroline Aherne has died at the age of 52 after a battle with cancer, her publicist has said.
The actress, best known for her roles in The Mrs Merton Show, The Fast Show and The Royle Family, died at her home in Timperley, Greater Manchester.
Neil Reading, her publicist, said on Saturday: "Caroline Aherne has sadly passed away, after a brave battle with cancer.
"The BAFTA award-winning writer and comedy actor died earlier today at her home in Timperley, Greater Manchester.
"The family ask for privacy at this very sad time."
Aherne grew up in Wythenshawe, Manchester, and was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the retina as a child and was left with severely impaired sight in one eye.
She gained public attention for her roles as the Checkout Girl and weather girl in The Fast Show where she pronounced temperatures would be "Scorchio!" for all locations.
But it was for her role as blue-rinse granny Mrs Merton, which first aired in 1995, that she became a household name.
The Royle Family, which Aherne co-wrote along with friend Craig Cash - who played Dave Best in the show - came after a suicide attempt.
The show won four awards at the British Comedy Awards in 1999.
Aherne was nominated for BAFTAs for her performances in both Mrs Merton and The Royle Family, as well as for her directing in the sitcom in 2001.
More recently, she made a return to TV in 2014 narrating the Channel 4 show Gogglebox.
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 4:37 pm