Caroline Aherne (left) with the BAFTA award she won in 2000, and (right) with The Royle Family co-stars collecting a comedy award at the South Bank Awards in 2001.
Comedian Caroline Aherne, most recently known to millions of TV viewers as the voice of Gogglebox, has died at the age of 52.
She continued recording with the Channel 4 show this year, despite receiving treatment for cancer.
"Caroline Aherne has sadly passed away, after a brave battle with cancer," her publicist, Neil Reading, said on Saturday, the BBC reported.
"The BAFTA award-winning writer and comedy actor died earlier today at her home in Timperley, Greater Manchester. She was 52. The family ask for privacy at this very sad time."
Aherne created and starred as the eponymous mock talk show host in The Mrs Merton Show, was a regular in the earlier series of sketch show The Fast Show, and created, wrote, and starred in The Royle Family.
With cast members from The Fast Show (left), and arriving with her mother Maureen after the 1999 BAFTA TV Awards in 1999 (right).
The London-born, Manchester-raised Aherne revealed two years ago she had been diagnosed with lung cancer, having previously had bladder cancer and eye cancer.
She narrated Gogglebox since 2013, and was praised for returning to the show while receiving treatment.
A statement from the show said: "Tania Alexander, executive producer of Gogglebox, and the whole Gogglebox family are devastated by the loss of Caroline Aherne, a close friend and colleague. She has been a huge part of Gogglebox from the beginning and her warmth, humour, and unique personality will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with her family."
Jay Hunt, the chief creative officer of Channel 4, said: "Caroline was an exceptional comic talent with a unique take on what it meant to be British. It's fitting that as the voice of Gogglebox it felt like she spoke for the nation. Our thoughts are with her family at this upsetting time."
Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt said the show would "never be the same" again.
Can't believe what I'm hearing ð¢ what a beautiful, inspiring woman we have lost. Gogglebox will never be the same #CarolineAherne
Tributes have been pouring in for Aherne from the world of comedy and beyond.
Ah I love Caroline Aherne! Such sad news to hear she's died. So loved in the Grimshaw household. One of my favourites, rest in peace X
Poor dear Caroline Aherne, how terribly sad
Sad news abt #CarolineAherne. A genuinely original comedy voice.
Sarah Millican described Aherne as a "wonderful talent".
My comedy hero has died. What a valiant battle she fought. Loved you Caroline Aherne ððððâ¤ï¸ð
So so sad to hear about Caroline Aherne. The Royle Family is one of the greatest British comedies. She really was a comic genius. Sleep well
Statement from DG Tony Hall following the news of comedy writer and performer Caroline Aherne's death.
