The author behind one of the most-loved children's books The Snowman, Raymond Briggs, has died.
Raymond passed away on Tuesday morning, his family announced.
The award-winning illustrator was one of the most respected and beloved authors, best-known for the 1978 classic and Father Christmas.
Paying tribute, Raymond's family said they take comfort in how his books "touched millions of people around the world."
They said in a statement: "We know that Raymond’s books were loved by and touched millions of people around the world, who will be sad to hear this news.
"Drawings from fans - especially children’s drawings - inspired by his books were treasured by Raymond, and pinned up on the wall of his studio.
"He lived a rich and full life and said he felt lucky to have had both his wife Jean, and his partner of over 40 years Liz in his life.
"He shared his love of nature with Liz on South Downs Walks and on family holidays to Scotland and Wales. He also shared his sense of fun and craziness with his family, and with his family of artist friends - at get-togethers, fancy dress parties, and summer picnics in the garden.
"He played practical jokes and enjoyed them being played on him. All of us close to him knew his irreverent humour - this could be biting in his work when it came to those in power. He liked the Guardian editorial describing himself as an 'iconoclastic national treasure'.
"Raymond was much loved and will be deeply missed by his step-children, and step- grandchildren, by his dearest friends, by his devoted carers and team, and by his wonderful neighbours."
The family went on to thank Royal Sussex County Hospital for caring for Raymond in his final weeks.
Raymond is survived by his step-daughter Clare and her husband Fynn; his step-son Tom and his wife Sarah, and his step-grandchildren: Connie, Tilly and Miles.
Born in Wimbledon in 1934, Raymond showed interest in cartooning from an early age and studied at the Wimbledon School of Art and later at the Slade School of Fine Art.
He briefly pursued painting before becoming a professional illustrator, working in advertising and going on to win acclaim as a book creator as well as teaching illustration at Brighton College of Art.
The Snowman was published by Hamish Hamilton in 1978 as a wordless picture book and it has gone on to sell over 5.5m copies in various formats around the world.
Producer John Coates created an animated version of The Snowman for Channel 4, it was first broadcast on Boxing Day 1982 in Channel 4’s inaugural year and has been shown every Christmas since.
Raymond has won many awards and accolades throughout his career, including the Kurt Maschler Award, The Children's Book of the Year, the Dutch Silver Pen Award, and the prestigious Kate Greenaway Award twice for The Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme Treasury and Father Christmas.
Following news of his death, fans took to social media to pay tribute.
One wrote: "No, The Snowman is a classic but Fungus The Bogeyman is a work of absolute genius. RIP Raymond. You bought me hours of pleasure."
Another added: Very sad to hear that Raymond Briggs has died, his creation "The Snowman" means so much to me and has helped me so much. I was very fortunate to receive a personal message from Raymond in 2020."
A third fan chimed: "Sad to hear of the death of writer and illustrator Raymond Briggs. The Snowman and Father Christmas were defining books of my childhood, and When the Wind Blows traumatised me utterly as a teen. Powerful stuff."
