I hesitated before posting the news of Victoria Wood's death in case it was a hoax. She seemed so young and so active and I'd heard nothing about her being ill. The first reaction was disbelief. The second was grief.

Not surprisingly tributes have been flooding in on social media. Ricky Gervais tweeted: "RIP the brilliant Victoria Wood. So innovative, funny and down to earth. This has not been a good year."

Jennifer Saunders said: "Cant believe Vic has gone.She was truly an inspiration and had so much left to to give and we won't see it. She was so funny."

Miranda Hart wrote: "Another hero and comedy legend gone. I am shocked. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Victoria for your laughs and inspiration. RIP."

Jenny Eclair wrote: "All of us women in comedy owe a huge debt of gratitude to Victoria- she paved the way." To which Miranda Hart replied: "So true."

John Bishop tweeted: "A true comedy legend #ripvictoriawood." 

Emma Kennedy recalled growing up with Wood on the box: "Every day after Wood & Walters As Seen On TV, we'd re-enact as much as we could remember in school. She was such an incredible talent."

Sanjeev Kohli wrote: "I don't think Victoria Wood ever wasted a single syllable. She was untouchable. Will never be replaced.

Alan Davies said: "RIP Victoria. Irreplaceable. Smart,sharp,funny as anything. Very lucky to have met her."

Caitlin Moran joined in with the tributes: "Seeing Victoria Wood on TV - working class, bookish, silly, clever, doing stand-up, singing, acting - made me think "Girls can do this." 

Rufus Hound linked Wood to the other great comic of her era: "The two MOST important comedians of my young life were Victoria Wood and Billy Connolly. They taught me comedy was ideas through jokes."

Inevitably David Cameron joined in: "Victoria Wood was a national treasure loved by millions. My thoughts are with her family."

More tributes to follow. In the meantime watch Wood on YouTube or buy her classic live show Victoria & Albert on DVD here.