Caroline Aherne ‘died alone’ at her home after not telling her family she had taken turn for worse

BRAVE Caroline Aherne reportedly died alone at home after not telling her family that her cancer had taken a turn for the worse.

The comic legend died on Saturday at the age of 52 after a lifelong battle with several types of cancer.

She told her family that the disease was terminal back in May, but then didn't update them when her condition worsened.

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A relative told : "It was too quick, we didn't expect her to go.

"She wasn't in a hospice. She was just at home. She left on her own."

Thousands of tributes have poured into commemorate the fallen star since the news broke of her death, including her Royle Family co-stars Ricky Tomlinson and Ralf Little.

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Ricky, 76, played her father in the hit BBC sitcom, and said of her passing: "I’m so bloody shocked. She was absolutely wonderful and amazing to work for. Kind, funny, witty.

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“She never talked about her health, ever. I can never ever remember her complaining.

“She must have gone through a lot but I never saw her looking unwell."

Cast members from Gogglebox, the hit Channel 4 show narrated by Caroline since 2013, also took to Twitter to express their condolences.

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Couple Steph and Dom wrote: “Stop Goggling – turn off the box – the world has changed today – RIP Caroline Aherne – you will be hugely missed #respectfulchinchin”

Noel Gallagher, who heard about Caroline's passing while on tour with his band High Flying Birds, performed Oasis track Half the World Away and dedicated to her at their Tennessee gig.

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Half the World Away has become renound for it's role as The Royle Family's theme song.

Caroline's older brother Patrick, who had a close bond with the star, also released a heartbreaking statement to address his sister's passing.

He said: "My heart is broken as I loved her so much. But she is now in a better place and most of all she has no pain.

“I have lost a beautiful sister and the world has lost an amazing talent."

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