Sean Hughes dead: Never Mind the Buzzcocks star and comedian dies aged 51 after battle with liver disease
Comedian Sean Hughes has died at the age of 51, his management has confirmed.
The London-born Irish writer and stand-up died after being rushed to the Whittington Hospital on Sunday night.
It is believed he was admitted with liver cirrhosis and died after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The Never Mind the Buzzcocks star had said in his latest tweet, dated October 8, that he was in hospital.
Tributes have poured in for Hughes who was one of the youngest comedians ever to win the prestigious Perrier Award.
Fellow comedian Jason Manford paid tribute to him on social media, writing: "Very sad to hear about Sean Hughes. A brilliant comic and a lovely bloke. RIP."
Jack Dee tweeted: "Very sad to hear about Sean Hughes. Started on the circuit with him back in the day. RIP."
Very sad to hear about Sean Hughes. A brilliant comic and a lovely bloke. RIP.
— JasonManford (@JasonManford) October 16, 2017
So sad about Sean Hughes. Such an engagingly funny man.
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) October 16, 2017
Terribly sad news about Sean Hughes.
— Al Murray (@almurray) October 16, 2017
Sad news. RIP Sean Hughes, aged 51. Great comedian. pic.twitter.com/3sc3zWzVdQ
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) October 16, 2017
David Schneider and Al Murray were among others to post about the star, who was well-known for being a team leader in the panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
And comedian Ross Noble posted: "Just awful news about Sean Hughes.he was very nice to me when I was starting out in comedy.a sad loss."
Hughes won the Perrier Award in 1990 for his popular show A One Night Stand With Sean Hughes.
During his career, he also wrote books, starred in Coronation Street in 2007 and presented several radio shows on the BBC.
Sad to hear about Sean Hughes. Was lucky to enjoy his company on a few occasions over the years. A witty, gracious, kind and gentle soul.
— Irvine Welsh (@IrvineWelsh) October 16, 2017
We weren't besties but I had a few long lunches & meandering phone chats with Sean Hughes. He was soft, warm company. I'll miss him.
— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) October 16, 2017
I'm very sad to learn of the death of Sean Hughes. He was a lovely fellow, a gentle soul and a very funny man.
— Robert Llewellyn (@bobbyllew) October 16, 2017