Noted British theoretical physicist Professor Stephen Hawking has died aged 76.

Prof Hawking developed a slow-progressing from of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that left him paralysed as he grew older, and famously communicated with a text-to-speech synthesiser through a single cheek muscle.

In a statement released on Wednesday (local time), Prof Hawking's family announced he had "died peacefully" at his Cambridge home early in the morning.

"We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today," his children Lucy, Robert and Tim wrote in a joint statement.

"He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years."

The world-renowned scientist has left an enormous legacy. His work has shaped the scientific consensus for decades, beginning by examining the singularity theorem, the theory of relativity and black holes, and formulating the theories about the universe itself.

And at times, his career has seen him rebutting himself. He once criticised his early work that claimed information would be lost in black holes, calling it his "biggest blunder".