Victoria Wood dead: Ricky Gervais, Miranda Hart and Jennifer Saunders lead tributes to comedian

Victoria Wood (Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Tributes have been paid to the comedian Victoria Wood, who has died following a short illness with cancer, age 62.

Her publicist confirmed she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in her north London home on Wednesday morning.

Best known for shows like Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV and Dinner Ladies, the multi-Bafta award-winning writer, director and comedian had many famous friends and admirers who spoke of their grief on social media following news of her death.

Ricky Gervais paid tribute while adding that 2016 has "not been a good year" following the deaths of other high-profile and beloved entertainers including David Bowie, Alan Rickman and Ronnie Corbett.

Other comedians paying tribute included Jennifer Saunders and Miranda Hart who credited her as being an inspiration. Sarah Millican also called her a "true comedy icon". David Walliams said she was a "humble genius", Rory Bremner said she was "warm, fun and brilliantly talented" while Richard Osman said she was "funny, clever and sad".

Columnist and author Caitlin Moran credited Wood with making her believe "girls can do this" while Jenny Eclair said all women in comedy should thank Wood for paving the way.

The Prime Minister David Cameron also called the comedian a "national treasure" and said she was loved by millions.