Michael Sleggs, who starred as Slugs in BBC comedy The Country, has died.

The 33-year-old actor is believed to have been undergoing palliative care for heart failure.

His death was confirmed in a BBC Radio Gloucestershire tweet, which read: "Actor Michael Sleggs has died.

"The 33-year-old from Cirencester played Slugs in BBC comedy This Country.

"He revealed in May he was receiving palliative care for heart failure."

The news came just weeks after he was reportedly diagnosed with terminal cancer, before he later posted online that he was actually cancer-free.

Posting tribute to the actor on Facebook, the WTAF - A This Country Podcast said: "We cannot believe the news we have woken up to this morning.

"Michael ‘Slugs’ Sleggs passed away last night.

"We are totally devastated for his family and all his loved ones and friends and fans.

"Michael was one in a million and with us he never said no if we asked him to join in with our silly fun.

"Appearing at both of our live shows he would always be apprehensive about walking on to the stage but would steal the show every time.

"We are so grateful that you got to get up there on the small screen and be the man, the legend.

"RIP Michael. Forever you’ll be Slugs to all This Country fans but you are also a dear, dear friend."

In May, the star of the Cotswolds mockumentary shared a heartbreaking Facebook post revealing he was dying.

He wrote: "Hi friends, as a lot of you are probably aware I've spent a lot of time in and out of hospital over the past few months. 

"This last time it was decided i was reaching the end of options so they've sent me home on palliative care to live out the remainder of my days at home.

"No specific time limit has been given but deterioration has been fairly rapid.

"I've been sleeping a lot and narrowly dodged a coma by accidentally overdosing on morphine the other day. 

"Anyway as you can imagine this isn't the ideal way I wished things to go and my family are dealing with a lot of grief.

"Just wanted to say I love everyone reading this status so much, you have all been such amazing, kind, caring people who have all touched my life in so many unique and incredible ways. 

"Sorry if this status is too shmaltzy but not everyone has the chance to say goodbye so indulge me lol.'"