Heartbroken fans have been paying tribute on social media.

An official statement from the Eggheads social media page announced with "immense sadness" that the TV personality, who was a member of the regular panel of quiz experts since 2003, has died.

The caption reads: "It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Eggheads great Chris Hughes.

"Chris joined the show at the very start in 2003 and over the next 20 years gave us not only brilliant answers but very many laughs and happy memories. He loved being an Egghead and will be hugely missed by all his Eggheads family."

During his career, Chris won Mastermind, International Mastermind and Brain of Britain.

One of Britain's leading quizzers, he was one of just seven people to have won both Mastermind and Brain of Britain.

Heartbroken fans have rushed to pay tribute to the star on X, with one writing: "Very sad news. I met him when we did the show back in 2015 and he was very affable. I hope he's up there enjoying a pint with dear Dave Rainford."

A second described Chris as a "wonderfully magnificent man" as another said they were "saddened to hear the news".