TV star Denis Norden has died aged 96.

Denis Norden

Denis Norden

The popular presenter - who fronted 'It'll Be Alright on the Night' - passed away earlier this morning (19.09.18) after spending weeks at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

Norden's children, Nick and Maggie, have extended their thanks to the "dedicated staff and doctors who have looked after him - with much devotion".

In a statement, they added: "A wonderful dad, a loving grandfather and great great-grandfather - he gave his laughter-mongering to so many.

"He will be in our hearts forever."

Norden started working in the entertainment business in his teens, writing his first script for the BBC, 'Let's Go to the Holborn', at the age of just 19.

He also worked extensively with comedian Frank Muir, with whom he wrote BBC radio's 'Take It From Here'.

And then in 1977, Norden secured his most famous role of all as the presenter of the ITV show 'It'll Be Alright On The Night', which featured TV outtakes and bloopers.

Norden presented the programme right up until his retirement in 2006, when he was 84.

Following his retirement from TV work, the London-born comedian dedicated much of his time to raising awareness of macular disease, a degenerative eye condition suffered from.

As well as being a TV star, Norden also served in the RAF during the Second World War, and he even wrote shows to keep the troops entertained.