Reality TV star Derek Acorah has passed away at the age of 69.

Famously known as a spirit medium on the hugely popular series Most Haunted in the 2000s, Acorah also appeared in Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns, Michael Jackson: The Search for His Spirit, shows like Celebrity Juice and Loose Women, and the 2017 series of Celebrity Big Brother, where he made the final night.

His other half, Gwen, announced his passing on his official Facebook page, writing:"Farewell my love! I will miss you forever! I'm devastated to announce that my beloved husband Derek has passed away after a very brief illness.

Channel 5

"Thank you so much to everybody who has supported me – I can never thank you enough."

His wife also revealed that he was previously in an intensive care unit while in a coma.

Related: Paying tribute to the stars we've lost in 2019 - in memoriam

Fans and friends have been paying their respects on both his Facebook and Twitter page, with the latter retweeting many tributes and photographs of fans with the star.

Channel 5

Acorah was born in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1950 and would have turned 70 years old on January 27. Outside of his television and medium work, he attempted a football career in his youth and, alongside his wife, was reported to be a patron of a guide dog charity.

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Joe Anderton Joe Anderton is a freelance news writer at Digital Spy.

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