Comedian Jeremy Hardy has died. He was 57.

His friend and publicist Amanda Emery issued the following statement: "Friends and family of comedian Jeremy Hardy, are immensely sad to announce that Jeremy died of cancer, early on Friday 1st February. He was with his wife and daughter as he died.

He retained to the end the principles that guided his life; trying to make the world more humane, and to be wonderfully funny. He will be enormously missed by so many, who were inspired by him and who laughed with him.

A fitting memorial will take place, details to be announced soon."

Hardy was a leading light of 1980s alternative comedy, part of the second wave of stand-ups who emerged with a determination to be non-racist and non-sexist, alongside Jo Brand, Julian Clary, Mark Thomas, Mark Steel and Jack Dee. He was one of the first stand-ups to win the Perrier Award, picking up the prize at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1988.

He was best known recently for his appearances on Radio 4 panel shows The News Quiz and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. Other Radio 4 shows included Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation, Unnatural Acts and At Home with the Hardys. 

He was a hugely important live performer too and won the Perrier Award in 1988 and best live act at the ITV Comedy Awards in 1991. 

During a long and successful career he also appeared in Blackadder Goes Forth and alongside his friend Jack Dee in the Channel 4 shows Jack and Jeremy's Police 4 and Jack and Jeremy's Real Lives. 

Also read: Tributes paid to legendary comic.