The Ayr man who created hit TV show Two Doors Down has died at the age of 48.

Comedy writer Simon Carlyle created the BBC series - which has just completed the filming of a seventh season - along with Gregor Sharp.

Louise Thornton, head of commissioning at BBC Scotland, said staff were "deeply saddened" to hear the news.

She added: "Simon was a major writing talent, loved for his work on Two Doors Down and many other series.

"Our thoughts are with Simon's family and friends, and the cast and crew on Two Doors Down."

It is believed there were no suspicious circumstances involved in his death.

Last year Simon told our sister title, Herald Scotland: "Ayr was an awful place to grow up gay.

“I’m not sure if I’d have been beaten up, but I certainly wasn’t for coming out. So I had to have fake girlfriends, and it was bloody awful.

"What helped me was knowing a couple of gay guys from figure skating. I learned enough to know I should never take a wife and join a golf club.”

Simon wrote the show Two Doors down as a one-off special in 2013 before it was commissioned in 2016.

Starring Elaine C. Smith, Alex Norton, Doon Mackichan, Jonathan Watson, Arabella Weir and wrestler Grado, the comedy about the neighbours of Latimer Terrace became a major hit.

The latest series has been moved to BBC One as a result of its success.

Simon also wrote for Changing Ends, an ITV comedy series about Alan Carr growing up in the 1980s, and BBC LGBT+ show Boy Meets Girl.

His manager, Amanda Davis, said: "I am immensely sorry to confirm that Simon Carlyle has died at the age of 48.

"Simon was a wonderful person and a major comedic talent. He was much respected across the industry both for the quality of his writing and for being a kind, funny, supportive and nurturing collaborator."

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.