Comedians Richard Osman and Jack Dee lead tributes to QI regular Jeremy Hardy

Jack Dee and Richard Osman have led the tributes to 'unique comedian' Jeremy Hardy who died of cancer at the age of 57 early today.

The comedian, from north Hampshire, began his stand-up career in 1984 and was a regular on TV show Mock The Week as well as working on BBC4's The News Quiz.

In a statement, Mr Hardy's publicist Amanda Emery said: '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.'

Dozens of tributes have already been made to the comedian with other stars in TV calling him 'a masterclass' and 'ground-breakingly brilliant.' 

Pointless star Richard Osman wrote: 'I was very lucky to work with Jeremy Hardy early in my career.

'Every day was a masterclass, a privilege. He was so naturally and brilliantly funny, and a man who chose to use his comedy to change the world, rather than to fill stadia. A very sad day. #RIPJeremy'

MailOnline