Mark Salling dead: Glee star dies aged 35

Mark Salling - the actor best known for playing Puck on hit television show Glee - has been found dead at the age of 35.

The cause and manner of his death are not yet clear. The Los Angeles Coroner would not confirm the death because next of kin has not yet been notified, while the Los Angeles Police Department referred all questions to the coroner. It is believed that Salling was found dead near his home in the Sunland area of Los Angeles

The actor had recently pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. Having reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, Salling was due to be sentenced on 7 March. Salling was reportedly facing between four and seven years in prison, as well as being required to register as a sex offender.

In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, the actor's lawyer, Michael J. Proctor said: “I can confirm that Mark Salling passed away early this morning... Mark was a gentle and loving person, a person of great creativity, who was doing his best to atone for some serious mistakes and errors of judgment.

"He is survived by his mother and father, and his brother. The Salling family appreciates the support they have been receiving and asks for their privacy to be respected,” the statement added.

Salling played Noah "Puck" Puckerman on Glee from 2009 to its conclusion in 2015. The Fox musical became a worldwide hit.

Salling pleaded guilty in December to possession of child pornography, after striking a deal in October. Prosecutors say a search of Salling's computer found more than 25,000 images.

The singer and actor was slated to be sentenced in March of this year, and was ordered in the mean time to stay at least 100 feet away from schools, parks, public swimming pools, youth centres, playgrounds, and arcades. He had also been ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution to each victim of his, was not allowed to have any verbal or electronic contact with minors, and was checked into a treatment plan.

"Mark is focused on accepting responsibility and to atone for his conduct," his lawyer said at the time of his guilty plea last year.

His stash of child pornography was discovered on his laptop, a hardrive, and a USB. Salling had reportedly shown some of the images to a girlfriend, who had shown them to police.