American comedian Garry Shandling has died. He was 66.

Shandling was best known as the star of chat show satire The Larry Sanders Show. Before that he broke through with the postmodern sitcom It's Garry Shandling's Show in which he paused the action to speak directly to the audience.

According to reports Los Angeles police told the BBC that Shandling "suffered a medical emergency" on Thursday. Reports elsewhere suggest it may have been a heart attack.

Tributes have been flooding in. Rip Torn, his co-star on The Larry Sanders Show, said: "Working with him was one of the great privileges of my career."

Amy Schumer said: "Goodbye Gary Shandling thank you for your kindness and your generosity and for making me laugh so damn much." Ricky Gervais wrote "RIP the great Garry Shandling. Surely, one of the most influential comedians of a generation."

Steve Martin tweeted: "Garry Shandling was a very special comedian with a beautifully unpredictable mind. He even voluntarily offered jokes and ideas for Oscars."

Actor Rob Lowe said: "Garry Shandling was one of my comedic heroes. His support of my writing was a huge boost. I will always be grateful for it. Shocked and sad."

Reece Shearsmith tweeted: "Shocking and sad news to hear Garry Shandling has died. One of the really funny ones."

Ant & Dec tweeted: "Noooo. RIP #GarryShandling. One of the best. Sad news. D"

Eric Idle said: "Oh no, not Garry Shandling. I adored him. Such a funny sweet eccentric man. What is this year doing to us? I'll miss him so damn much." John Cleese tweeted: "Sad about Garry Shandling. Larry Sanders was WONDERFUL, and at my daughter Cynthia's wedding he made the funniest bad taste speech ever given."

Eddie Izzard tweeted: "Garry Shandling has died. I am very sad. He had the magic 'it' quality. He used it well and now he goes to live in the comedy Valhalla."

More to follow....