Fans and co-stars have paid tribute to LazyTown actor Stefan Karl Stefansson who has died aged 43 after battling aggressive bile duct cancer for two years.

The Icelandic father-of-four played villain Robbie Rotten in the cult children's TV show which aired in more than 180 countries from 2004 to 2014.

Co-star Julianna Rose Mauriello, who played Stephanie in seasons one and two, wrote on Twitter: 'Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.

Legend: LazyTown actor Stefan Karl Stefansson (pictured with his wife Steinunn Olina) won't have a funeral and his ashes will be 'scattered in a distant ocean', his wife has revealed

Tragic: The Icelandic father of four young children played villain Robbie Rotten in the children's TV show. Pictured: Stefan Karl Stefansson with his wife

Family: Stefansson is survived by his wife Steinunn Olina Porsteinsdottir, their three daughters and one son

As seen on screen: Stefan played villain Robbie Rotten in the cult kids' TV show LazyTown

'I always will be dancing right beside you. But I know you are not alone, you have my mom and grandma. Please watch over me. I will try to stay strong.'

Stefansson starred in LazyTown from 2004 to 2007, and again from 2013-2014. The show followed the life of Stephanie, a pink-haired eight-year-old, alongside her hero companion Sportacus, as they fought to liven up an inactive town.

Stefansson's character of Robbie Rotten was seen to try and ruin their plans and keep people unhealthy. The Icelandic show went on to be aired around the globe.

His wife Steinunn Olina posted a short eulogy to Facebook in which she said her 'beloved' husband, who died on Monday, never wanted a funeral.

The 48-year-old, who is editor-in-chief of Icelandic women's magazine Kvennablaðið, wrote: 'My beloved, Stefan Karl Stefansson, 43, has passed away after battling aggressive bile duct cancer for two years.

'Per Stefan's wishes, there will be no funeral. His earthly remains will be scattered in secrecy in a distant ocean.

'Stefan's family wants to express their gratitude for the support and warmth received in recent years, and to express their deepest sympathy to the many friends and fans of Stefan Karl.'

The creative director of LazyTown, Magnus Scheving, who played Sportacus, wrote on Instagram: 'Today the world is poorer.

'Stefan, a great talent and a human being, passed away. My heartfelt for his friends and family. LazyTown will be empty without you.'

Many fans said LazyTown was a major part of their childhood. One wrote on Facebook: 'Heroes die, legends live forever.'

Co-star Julianna Rose Mauriello, who played Stephanie in seasons 1 and 2, shared this tribute on her Twitter account

The creative director of LazyTown, Magnús Scheving, posted this tribute to Instagram

Stefansson (pictured in hospital) was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016 and after after surgery initially appeared to be on the path to recovery, yet revealed in March this year the cancer had returned and was inoperable

Stefansson attends the after-party for Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at HWood on November 14, 2009 in Hollywood, California

One fan named Amber wrote: 'Absolutely heartbroken that Stefán Karl Stefansson aka Robbie Rotten from LazyTown has passed away'. Pictured: Stefansson in hospital

Claudia Nuzzo said: 'What a terrible loss. Stefan seemed such a genuine and fun person in real life and was a great villain on the screen. He's gone from our sight but never from our hearts.'

One fan wrote on Twitter: 'Stefan Karl Stefansson was big part of my childhood, playing Robbie Rotten on LazyTown. I'm really devastated by the news of his passing.

Another added: 'One of my favourite shows as a kid was lazytown, and I always loved Robbie Rotten.'

A fan named Amber wrote: 'Absolutely heartbroken that Stefán Karl Stefansson aka Robbie Rotten from LazyTown has passed away after losing his battle with cancer this morning.'

Stefansson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016 and after after surgery initially appeared to be on the path to recovery, yet revealed in March this year the cancer had returned and was inoperable.

RIP: LazyTown actor Stefan Karl Stefansson has died aged 42 after battling bile duct cancer. The 42-year-old star died on Tuesday surrounded by friends and family, reports TMZ

The actor, who has four children, shared his last Instagram post on June 25 - a message reading: 'At the end of every storm there is a rainbow of hope'.

He captioned the image: 'From the bottom of my heart I thank you for the support you provide me. You give me hope and you all move me.'

Stefansson is survived by his wife Steinunn Olina Porsteinsdottir, their three daughters and one son. Fans created a crowdfunding page for the family.

The Icelandic actor reached out to fans in March after learning of his incurable diagnosis, tweeting: 'It's not until they tell you you're going to die soon that you realise how short life is.

'Time is the most valuable thing in life because it never comes back... and whether you spend it in the arms of a loved one or alone in a prison-cell, life is what you make of it. Dream big.'

The father-of-four told his followers: 'Unfortunately it's back and this time they can't operate on it.'

He later tweeted: ‘Some days we feel very low, some days we are happy and then we are happy about all that we have accomplished together and lived together. Nobody can take that away from us, however this goes. Not even death itself.’

After his diagnosis, the actor's wife Steinunn posted a heartfelt tribute to her husband on Facebook. She wrote: 'Even though I knew for a long time that this day would come, it's a difficult turning point.

Battling: Stefansson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016 and after after surgery initially appeared to be on the path to recovery, yet revealed in March this year the cancer had returned

Inspiring: The actor, who has four children, shared his last Instagram post on June 25, an inspirational message about hope

'There is no cure for this. Now he will have to undergo chemotherapy to try to prolong his life and we hope that this will go as well is possibly can, to improve how he feels and to prolong his life.'

'His illness has had an impact on the whole family, naturally. Some days we feel very low, some days we are happy and are happy about all that we have accomplished together and lived together.

His wife, who the actor has three daughters and son with, continued: 'Nobody can take that away from us, however this goes. Not even death itself.'

TMZ reports the actor will have a performing arts academy built in his honour and launched next year in Switzerland.

The website reports The Stefan Karl Academy & Center for the Performing Arts was the actor's dream project, with Stefan dreaming of opening a performing arts centre for years.

From a puppeteer to a restaurant owner: Where are the stars of LazyTown now? Magnus Scheving, who played Sportacus and was the creative director, quit as Lazy Town Entertainment’s CEO in 2015 and now runs a Scandinavian/seafood restaurant in Reykjavík, Iceland. Julianna Rose Mauriello, who played Stephanie in seasons one and two before she outgrew the role, has not been in the media since, sparking speculation that she has quit acting. Magnus Scheving , who played Sportacus and was the creative director, quit as Lazy Town Entertainment’s CEO in 2015 Julie Westwood, who played Pixel, lives in Bolton with her two sons and continues to act in other animated shows. Chloe Land, who played Stephanie after Mauriello, also acted in Face (2011) and My Brother Jack (2013) - but nothing has been heard about her career since. Gudmundur Thor, who played Ziggy, now runs an entertainment company called Wit Puppets in Iceland. Gudmundur Thor (pictured), who played Ziggy, now runs an entertainment company called Wit Puppets in Iceland Sarah Burgess, who played Trixie, now plays Phoebe Furchester-Fuzz in children's show The Furchester Hotel. Jodi Eichelberger, who played Stingy, now hosts Story Story Night, a live storytelling program in Boise, Idaho. Aymee Garcia, who played Trixie after Brugess, voiced Ripple/Chompy in the TV series Splash and Bubbles. Aymee Garcia , who played Trixie after Brugess, as Mrs. Thistletwat of the Broadway musical Avenue Q Advertisement

Humour will form the centre-piece of the academy's mission and the project will celebrate his life and his contribution to the industry.

The website reports the academy will focus on training young people in 'the history and skills of expression across multiple genres.'

The campus will also include a theatre for live performances.

Stefan's wife, Steinunn Olina, is reportedly providing creative leadership in the crafting of the academy.

HIAG Immobilien, a Swedish development company, are said to be covering construction costs for the project.

For help and support with any issues surrounding bile duct cancer, contact AMMF – The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity

The actor's wife Steinunn Olina Porsteinsdottir posted a heartfelt tribute to her husband on Facebook where she said: 'There is no cure for this but we will try to prolong his life'