This Morning agony aunt Denise Robertson dies aged 83

This Morning's agony aunt, Denise Robertson, has died aged 83.

The ITV show confirmed she had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.

The programme posted the news on its official Twitter account, writing: "Such sad news - our friend and colleague Denise Robertson has lost her short but determined battle against cancer."

This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield said he was "heartbroken", describing Robertson on Twitter as: "Kind, thoughtful, caring & wonderful."

In mid-February Robertson issued a statement announcing she had been diagnosed with cancer.

This Morning presenter Ruth Langsford read a message from her, explaining that she had not been on air due to "a persistent health issue that has turned into something quite a lot bigger".

"I've been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer," the statement said.

"It has come as a surprise to me and my family but we know that many others have suffered and dealt with this condition and I don't plan to give up without a fight.

"My doctor is referring me for chemotherapy and hopefully that will start soon.

"I'd like to thank all the lovely viewers of This Morning who have been concerned about my health recently and I hope I'll be back on the sofa soon."

Robertson, from Sunderland, joined This Morning for its first broadcast in 1988.

She also had her own advice website and wrote a column for Candis magazine.

Her popularity on This Morning led to her being offered her own TV show in 2000, called Dear Denise.

In 2002 she appeared as a relationship and love expert on Dave Gorman's Important Astrology Experiment.

She was also a regular fixture on Channel 5's Big Brother's Bit On The Side.

She lost her first husband Alex to lung cancer in 1972.

In 2006, her stepson John also died of cancer, at the age of 44.

ITV announced that today's show will pay tribute to Robertson.