The Funny Women website has reported that comedian Rowena Haley died earlier this month.

Haley was in the Funny Women Final in 2008 alongside future superstars Katherine Ryan and Sara Pascoe. Funny Women founder Lynne Parker wrote: "She was northern, blunt, sang silly songs and was very much a breath of fresh comedic air. At 22 she was one of the youngest of our finalists that year."

The Bolton-born comic took a number of shows to the Edinburgh Fringe, including Sad Bitch in the Corner in 2010, Nothing to Write Home About at Southsider in 2011, There’s More To Life Than Chips in 2013 and 3 Chords and The Truth which she performed at the T-Bar in Cowgate in 2016, all as part of PBH's Free Fringe.

She also worked in television on The Paul O’Grady Show and Meet the Richardsons. 

Haley was also a member of the north London Total Boxer fitness club. They wrote: "A dry, sharp, observational humour that, coupled with her trusty guitar, saw her perform at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival. In fact, some of you may not know, but Rowena was the catalyst behind my idea to hold a 'Total Boxer's Got Talent' theme to our birthday parties, as a celebration of our member's musical, magical or comedic skills. Rowena agreed to perform at several of our parties and was always hilarious, captivating and brought the house down."

Haley was 34 when she died and reports say her death was sudden and unexpected. No other details have been released at this stage.

Watch Rowena Haley below