The star of Grotbags Carol Lee Scott has died aged 74 sparking an outpouring of grief among fans and her family today.

Tributes have been paid to the 'kind' and 'gentle' actress and musician who starred as a terrifying children's TV witch for more than a decade in the 1980s and 1990s.

Fans who grew up watching her with Rod and Emu and then in her own ITV series admitted today: 'A part of my childhood is gone'.

Others repeated Rod Hull's catchphrase: 'There's somebody at the door' - often a signal that Grotbags would be about to appear - and said: 'Someone tell St Peter - there's somebody at the door'.

Ms Lee Scott's death was announced by her niece Gina Mear, who last night said she died on Tuesday.

She shared photos of her aunt dressed in character with Rod Hull and a family picture with the message: 'My dear aunty Carol passed away yesterday, RIP Grotbags, I will miss you.'

Sad news: Actress Carol Lee Scott, best known for her role as children’s TV favourite Grotbags, has died aged 74

The much-loved star died yesterday, according to her family, and many fans who watched when they were children have expressed their grief

Aww #Grotbags has left us. Thanks for the many laughs! RIP Carol Lee Scott pic.twitter.com/4daB4V18n0 — R@ymønd ||*|| (@RaymondSouthorn) July 6, 2017

Lost childhood: Taking to Twitter on Wednesday evening fans mourned the actress, whose children's TV career spanned more than a decade

You will be missed: Confirming the news in a brief Twitter post, the popular entertainer’s niece Gina Mear revealed she passed away on Tuesday

The news was announced in a post shared on a fan site dedicated to Grotbags - but the cause of her death has not yet been revealed.

Paying tribute to the star, it read: 'It is very sad that I have to report that Carol Lee Scott has passed away today. A larger than life lady with a much larger heart of comedy, kindness and generosity!

'Carol was a great lover of music and comedy and one of the songs she used to like was Ain't It Grand To Be Blooming Well Dead by Leslie Sarony and it was Carol's request that there be no sadness but music and laughter!'

Somerset-born Carol Lee Scott moved to London in her twenties, singing in pubs in the evening for money while working in Rumbelows during the day.

Her break came after she secured work at Pontins camps across Britain and spent 19 years performing for crowds of holidaymakers.

Originally a jobbing singer, Lee reportedly developed her Grotbags character while working a summer season in Cleethorpes with Rod Hull, who would eventually ask her to play the popular witch in long-running show Emu's World.

Running for eight-years, the show proved to be hugely successful and introduced its young audience to a host of memorable characters, - amongst them Croc, Robot Redford, servant Grovel and Rod's career defining puppet Emu.

Lee would eventually play the witch in spin-off show Grotbags, which ran for 29 episodes from 1991 to 1993.

RIP: The news was previously announced in a post shared on a fan site dedicated to Grotbags, however a cause of death is yet to be made public

There's somebody at the door: Lee worked with Rod Hull and his puppet Emu on children's TV for more than a decade

Iconic: Those who remembered Lee from her eighties and nineties heyday heaped praise on the star

Amazing: Many shared their childhood memories of TV witch Grotbags across social media

Fond memories: Sharing a GIF of Lee in action alongside one of her screen companions, the cowardly crocodile Croc, another fan wrote

Taking to Twitter fans mourned the actress, whose children's TV career spanned more than a decade.

'Carol Lee Scott has passed away. That's a bit of my childhood gone,' wrote one.

Another added: 'Gutted to hear Carol Lee Scott-Grotbags, has passed away... I genuinely believed I'd 1 day get to meet & thank her for how incredible she was (sic).'

'Grotbags was a classic character, which she brought to life with proper skill and guts. Terrifying but hilarious!' wrote a third.

Sharing a GIF of Lee in action alongside one of her screen companions, the cowardly crocodile Croc, another fan wrote: 'Aww no - just heard that Carol Scott Lee aka the iconic GROTBAGS passed away on Monday. Sad times. Used to love/be terrified of her as a kid.'