Adam West has died at the age of 88.

The American actor, who was best known for his work in the 1960s series of Batman, passed away on Friday night following a short battle with leukaemia, his family confirmed.

A statement from his bereaved relatives said: "Our dad always saw himself as The Bright Knight and aspired to make a positive impact on his fans' lives. He was and always will be our hero."

He died in Los Angeles surrounded by his wife Marcelle, his six children, five grandchildren and his two great-grandchildren.

(Image: Getty Images North America)

(Image: Rex Features)

He was born in Walla Walla, Washington, on 19 September 1928 as William West Anderson to a wheat farmer and opera singer.

On his rise to fame in the late 1950s, Adam found himself starring in Paul Newman's The Young Philadelphians, followed by Robinson Crusoe On Mars and Redux Riding Hood.

A stint in Spaghetti Western The Relentless Four in 1965 came just as Batman producer William Dozier came across his ad campaign for Nestle's Quik and asked him to fly home from Europe to meet with him.

He immediately signed a contract but with one condition - that he could approve his on-screen sidekick Robin - which turned out to be inexperienced actor Burt Ward.

(Image: Channel 4) (Image: Rex)

(Image: Daily Mirror)

The ABC show was nominated for an Emmy Award for outstanding comedy series in just its first year, with a feature-length movie being released in 1966 ahead of the second season.

Despite his success as Bruce Wayne's troubled alterego, Adam found himself unable to pick up work thanks to typecasting - something which would frustrate him immensely over the next few decades.

He made a living from doing personal appearances as Batman - including various public service announcements in the US.

West also appeared in numerous theatrical films, including The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker in 1971 and The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood in 1980, as well as a host of television movies.

(Image: Rex Features) (Image: WireImage) (Image: ITV2)

A younger generation of fans will recognise the actor for his voiceover work in animated comedy series Family guy - where he played Mayor Adam West.

Quahog's madcap politician became a cult hero - giving a new lease of life to West's career and introducing the actor to a legion of new fans.

The hilarious character has regularly appeared since the show's second season - and in his time in office has legalised weed because of a catchy song, dated schoolgirl Meg Griffin and been revealed as a Russian sleeper agent.

West also played a fictional version of himself in Season 4 of The Simpsons, where Bart and Lisa refused to believe he was the real Batman and got scared by his weird dance moves.

(Image: Daily Mirror)

(Image: FilmMagic)

In 2012 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is located in front of the Guinness Museum in California.

West was married to Billie Lou Yaeger from 1950 to 56 and Ngatokoruaimatauaia Frisbie Dawson from 1957 to 62.

He had a son Hunter and daughter Jonelle with his second wife, before marrying Marcelle Tagand Lear in 1970.

He met wife Marcelle in 1970 after posing for a publicity photo with her in his Batman costume - before marrying her in 1970.

They had daughter Nina and son Perin together, with West also becoming stepfather to Moya and Jill.

(Image: Getty)

(Image: Rex Features)

(Image: Wire Image)

Seth Green, who worked with West as a voice actor on Family Guy as Chris Griffin, led tributes to the great actor.

“He was a true hero of mine — grew up watching him as Batman, and got the privilege of both working with and directing him,” Green said.

“He’s generous and always classy. Very sad to think of the world without our beloved Mayor. How lucky we are he left so much behind.”

(Image: Archive Photos) (Image: REX) (Image: Getty)

Burt Ward, who played West's sidekick Robin, also gave a heartfelt tribute to his Batman co-star and friend.

"I am devastated at the loss of one my very dearest friends,” Ward said in a statement reported by Variety.

"Adam and I had a special friendship for more than 50 years. We shared some of the most fun times of our lives together. Our families have deep love and respect for each other.

"This is a terribly unexpected loss of my lifelong friend. I will forever miss him. There are several fine actors who have portrayed Batman in films. In my eyes, there was only one real Batman that is and always will be Adam West. He was truly the Bright Night."



We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

For the latest news and breaking news visit http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/

Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter @MirrorCeleb.

We're also on Facebook.com/MirrorCeleb/ - your must-see celebrity news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Mirror Online