Joan Rivers 'was a controlled lightning bolt', says Louis CK

Rivers made a cameo in CK's sitcom Louie in 2011

Joan Rivers in Louie season 2 episode 'Joan' (FX)

Louis CK has issued a statement following the death of Joan Rivers, saying that it "really f*cking sucks" that the legendary comedian has passed and extolling her "unpredictable, joyful" approach.

Rivers died after being in a medically induced coma the past few days following a routine endoscopy.

She and CK shared a disregard for political correctness for the sake of political correctness and previously appeared together in a very funny scene in CK's FX show Louie.

Here's his statement in full:

"I feel very lucky that I knew Joan Rivers and I feel very sad that she’s gone. She was a great comedian and a wonderful person. I never saw someone attack a stage with so much energy. She was a controlled lightning bolt. She was a prolific and unpredictable, joyful joke writer. She loved comedy. She loved the audience. She was a great actress and should have done that more. She loved living and working. She was kind. She was real. She was brave. She was funny and you just wanted to be around her. I looked up to her. I learned from her. I loved her. I liked her. And I already miss her very much. It really f—ing sucks that she had to die all of a sudden."

Tributes have flooded in for Rivers from around the comedy and entertainment world, with her E! Fashion Police co-panellist Kelly Osbourne echoing CK's sentiments about Rivers' boldness.

She wrote on Facebook:

"I'm completely heartbroken by the loss of my beloved Joan. Not only was she my boss, she was and will always be my teacher, therapist, closest friend, inspiration and the only grandmother I ever knew. She was family and I will never forget her. Laughter will be difficult for a while but when I'm sad, lonely or upset all I will have to do is think of Joan and a smile will cross my face. Laughter is what she gave us and laughter is what she would want us to do in remembrance of her. Melissa and Cooper, my thoughts are with you and I love you both so much. Joan, thank you for taking me in and loving me as a daughter. I will miss you deeply and will always hear your voice in my head saying ‘my darling get out there and be you!"

Rivers had jokingly pre-planned her "huge showbiz" funeral, previously saying she "wants Meryl Streep crying in five different accents".