Terry Pratchett, one of the UK's leading fantasy authors, has sadly passed away at the age of 66. The author had been suffering from early on-set Alzheimer's since 2007, and his publisher confirmed the news to the BBC.
Best known for his Discworld series, a satirical fantasy series spanning over 40 books, and first published in 1971, Terry has also seen numerous adaptations of his work published across radio, TV, film, and the theatre.
© Photo: Getty ImagesTerry Pratchett in 2012 at the British Academy Television Awards
In recent years, Terry had dictated all of his work to assistant Rob Wilkins, and the pair finished their last book together in the summer of 2014.
On Thursday, Rob posted a heart-wrenching tribute to his friend Terry, using Terry's writing style.
"AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER," Rob tweeted to their shared Twitter account. "Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night."
Rob concluded his series of tweets with "The End.".
© Photo: Getty ImagesTerry at the premiere of The Colour of Magic in 2008
In a statement, Terry's publisher Larry Finlay added: "The world has lost one of its brightest, sharpest minds.
"In over 70 books, Terry enriched the planet like few before him. As all who read him know, Discworld was his vehicle to satirize this world: he did so brilliantly, with great skill, enormous humour and constant invention.
"Terry faced his Alzheimer's disease (an 'embuggerance', as he called it) publicly and bravely. Over the last few years, it was his writing that sustained him. His legacy will endure for decades to come."
Larry added: "My sympathies go out to Terry's wife Lyn, their daughter Rhianna, to his close friend Rob Wilkins, and to all closest to him.
"Terry passed away in his home, with his cat sleeping on his bed surrounded by his family on 12th March 2015."
