Veteran Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd has died just days after revealing he had an "aggressive and untreatable" form of leukaemia.
In a statement his family said the 73-year-old died peacefully on Wednesday morning.
“We are absolutely devastated to announce the death of Sir Tony Lloyd MP, our beloved ‘Joe,’ ‘Dad’ and ‘Grandad’," they said.
"He died peacefully this morning surrounded by his family, as was his wish.
"He was working until a few days before his death as his passion was helping others.
"He devoted his life to serving and making a difference to the lives of those he met including his constituents, colleagues, friends, and family.
"We would like to thank all the dedicated doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and other hospital staff who have provided him with care, as well as the blood and platelet donors who gave him an extra four years of life."
Last week Sir Tony, who represented Greater Manchester for more than 40 years, revealed that he had been receiving treatment for blood cancer.
The illness had progressed, he said, and he would be leaving hospital in order to "spend the time I have left with my family".
Sir Keir Starmer was among those paying tribute.
The Labour leader said: "The death of Sir Tony Lloyd today is a terrible loss. "We will remember his deep commitment to Labour values and his decency. "May he rest in peace."
Sir Tony first entered parliament in 1983. Since then he has held a range of seats in the region - beginning in Stretford before moving to Manchester Central and finally Rochdale, which he had represented since 2017.
He served as a foreign minister under Tony Blair, and later became the chair of the parliamentary Labour Party.
In 2012 took a five-year break from Westminster to act as Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner, but was beaten to the post of mayor by Andy Burnham in 2016.
