Stars pay tribute to national treasure Victoria Wood

Tributes have been paid to the comedian Victoria Wood, who has sadly died following a short illness with cancer, age 62.

The news was confirmed by Wood's publicist this afternoon and it was revealed that the national treasure passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in her north London home this morning (April 20). Wood was known for her roles in Dinnerladies and Acorn Antiques, among others.

Presenter and radio host Lauren Laverne tweeted about Wood: "Brilliant writer, ten times funnier than everyone else and also wonderfully humane (even when it wasn't de rigueur). #VictoriaWood taught women of my generation that we could be funny too, and at a time when the opposite message was so prevalent."

'Smile' songstress Lily Allen also paid tribute to Wood, tweeting: "My word what sad news about Victoria Wood. I can't believe how many national treasures we have lost this year. Bowie, Zaha Hadid, Victoria Wood, Merle Haggard, Ronnie Corbett, Alan Rickman, George Martin - enough is enough 2016."

Actor and writer Ricky Gervais said: "RIP the brilliant Victoria Wood. So innovative, funny and down to earth. This has not been a good year."

Watch some of Wood's sketches here: