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Game Of Thrones author George R.R. Martin has made the sad announcement today that the real-life wolf who played Ghost is dead.

Jon Snow's faithful companion was played by an albino Arctic Wolf and lived at the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in Nex Mexico, USA.

The four-legged star of HBO's fantasy drama, who passed away this week, was part of a pack that lived at the rescue centre supported by the Martin family.

Breaking the news on Twitter, Martin said: "In loving memory of the real life Ghost from the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. He passed this week & he will be missed. R.I.P"

(Image: HBO)

Fans of the show took to Twitter to give their sympathies and hope that the direwolf won't be killed off in the books or the show.

Ghost is one of the only two remaining Stark direwolves in Game Of Thrones, but Nymeria has been missing since the first season.

The runt of the litter, who was gifted to illegitimate Stark Jon Snow, quickly became popular amongst fans during his time at the Wall.

James Cosmo accidentally 'gives away' BIG Game of Thrones spoiler on Sunday Brunch

(Image: HBO) (Image: HBO)

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Ghost was clearly distinguishable from the other family pets due to his albino fur and striking red eyes.

Game Of Thrones fans have had to deal with the tragic deaths of four direwolves on the show, but hope Ghost could possibly sit at his master's side by the Iron Throne.

In season 1, Northern Inuit Dogs played the young puppies, with Sophie Turner adopting the dog who played Lady.

(Image: Reuters)

Game Of Thrones viewer took to Twitter to give their sympathies for the real-life ghost.

One fan said: "Aww thats so sad RIP beautiful creature!"

Another added: "Losing a friend is never easy. May he be not only missed but also remembered."

A third said: "A great man once said...'The lone wolf dies but the pack survives"

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(Image: HBO)

Meanwhile, fans of the show have found out that they won't have to wait too long for its return.

The release date for season 7 has finally been announced in a brand new teaser

Fans of the hit HBO series have been forced to wait over a year for their next fix of Westeros, but the wait will soon be over.

The next series will premiere on July 16th, where viewers will see the battle for the Seven Kingdoms get into full swing as Daenerys Targaryen sails across from Essos to face Queen Cersei.

(Image: HBO) (Image: HBO)

However, the teaser shows the danger about to come down from the north, as the camera pans slowly moves out from the evil blue eye of the Night King to reveal his dark face.

The official Game Of Thrones twitter account tweeted: " #GoTS7 begins 7.16 on @HBO . #GameofThrones

While the battle for the Iron Throne wages on in the south, the threat everyone should really be focusing on is the White Walkers.

Fans couldn't contain their excitement over the new teaser, but were slightly disappointed that another full trailer has not been released

Just three weeks after the first trailer dropped, new snaps were released showing Queen Cersei sitting regally on the Iron Throne with her brother-slash-lover Jaime Lannister standing beside her with his impressive sword on display.

Cersei - who spent the last season behind stripped naked and humiliated as punishment for her infidelity - wears a simple metal crown and chain mail armour, suggesting she'll be doing battle to cement her status as royalty in the upcoming series.

(Image: HBO) (Image: Sky Atlantic)

Other pictures show Lyanna Mormont, who up until Season 6 was a little-known character until she proclaimed her house for Jon Stark, declaring him the King of the North.

The upcoming series also catches up with Gilly and Samwell Tarly, who can be seen studying some books in a dark room. Gilly is reading, suggesting Samwell has achieved his goal of educating her since they fled from her abusive husband.

Daenerys Targaryen is back, looking serious as she surveys a scene in front of her. She wears a dragon badge on her outfit, but there are no signs of her three dragon 'offspring'.

Tyrion - by now Daenerys' Hand, or chief advisor - is in place beside her, alongside Varys 'the Spider', Grey Worm and Missandei.

As last month's trailer showed, the battle to rule the seven kingdoms has been absolutely ruthless so far, and that's not about to change.