Caroline Aherne dead: The Mrs Merton Show star's career in pictures

The actress, writer and director was best known for her roles in TV sitcom The Royle Family and as chat show host Mrs Merton

Tomlinson says he never once heard her complain about her ill health and she always remained energetic

Actress and comedian Caroline Aherne has died at the age of 52 after a battle with cancer.

The star was best known for hit sitcom The Royle Family and the riotous chat show The Mrs Merton Show, which both won a string of awards.

The Royle Family was born after she and friend Craig Cash, who played gormless Dave Best in the show, threw themselves into their work after a suicide attempt which she described as her lowest ebb.

It is considered to be a classic British sitcom, despite the unusual format of a working class family sitting in a living room.

The BBC show was an instant classic and won a scoop of awards at the 1999 British Comedy Awards, receiving four trophies, including best actress for Aherne.

Craig Cash also encouraged Aherne to develop the character of Mrs Merton. The project, which took the form of a mock chat show, morphed into a successful live programme.

In addition, she wrote and appeared in classic comedy programme The Fast Show. Her most well known character was Paula Fisch, a meterologist who frequently greeted hot weather with cries of "Scorchio!".

Aherne's death was announced by her publicist Neil Reading, who said she died on Saturday at her home in Timperley, Greater Manchester.

The star had struggled with health problems throughout her life.