Actress Caroline Aherne, the comic genius behind The Royle Family dies from cancer, aged 52

ACTRESS and creator of The Royle Family, Caroline Aherne has died, aged 52.

Aherne, who had been battling with cancer for many years, announced she was retiring from showbiz at 37.

Her publicist Neil Reading said today: "Caroline Aherne has sadly passed away, after a brave battle with cancer.

Caroline Aherne in character as Mrs Merton (Picture: ITV)

"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 comes from an Irish family. Her father was a railway worker and alcoholic.

She was born in London but grew up in Wythenshawe, Manchester.

In 2006 she moved from London to Timperley in Manchester where she lived around the corner from her mum Maureen.

Aherne also has an older brother, Patrick, with whom she was close. He also has cancer.

Her brother Patrick has said she was the family joker, adding: "Nobody else in the family was like that. But she was funny from the time she was really little."

Aherne is famous for creating the brilliant and acerbic character, Mrs Merton.

Dressed as a little old lady, Mrs Merton would interview celebrities, notably Debbie McGee who she once asked "So what attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?

One of her comic creations was an Irish nun called Sister Mary Immaculate.

One of Aherne's most loved comedy successes was sitcom The Royle Family, which she wrote and starred in.

The show is regarded as one of the best British TV shows of all time, and Aherne drew on her own family to write the characters in the hilarious, lazy and loveable Manchester family.

Friends, celebrities and fellow comedians have been paying tribute to Aherne on Twitter today.

A character. A legend. A boss. A sister, real and (for me) fake. A boss. A writer. An actor. A genius. A friend. Big, big heart. Goodbye. X

— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) 2 July 2016

Absolutely devastating news about Caroline Aherne. A true comedy genius, her work was equally funny & touching. https://t.co/JwSULy25f7

— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) 2 July 2016

Statement from DG Tony Hall following the news of comedy writer and performer Caroline Aherne's death. pic.twitter.com/9ZXWqoUZbF

— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) 2 July 2016