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Professor Stephen Hawking has died aged 76

THE world-renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76.

The Briton died peacefully at his home in Cambridge in the early hours of this morning, his family said.

Considered by many to have been the world's greatest living scientist, Prof Hawking was also a cosmologist, astronomer, mathematician and author of numerous books including the bestseller A Brief History of Time.

At the age of 21, Hawking was given only a few years to live after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – a rare form of motor neurone disease.

The illness left him wheelchair-bound and largely unable to speak except through a voice synthesiser – with its computerised American accent achieving iconic status in recent decades, partly thanks to his numerous appearances on The Simpsons.

In 2015, British actor Eddie Redmayne won an Oscar for his portrayal of Prof Hawking in the biopic The Theory of Everything the previous year.

The statement sent by Stephen Hawking's family to the press. His time on this planet has been a gift to the universe. #RIP pic.twitter.com/GjRe8935KG

— Evans Donnell (@EvansDonnell) March 14, 2018

In a statement, Prof Hawking's children, Lucy, Robert and Tim, said: "We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today.

"He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years.

"His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world.

"He once said, 'It would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love.' We will miss him forever."

Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, was one of the first people to pay tribute to Prof Hawking this morning.

"We have lost a colossal mind and a wonderful spirit. Rest in peace, Stephen Hawking," he wrote on Twitter.

Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain, a friend of Prof Hawking and theoretical physicist in his own right, said: "Ah, what a week for losing icons and legends. I’ll tweet more tomorrow when I have the measure of it, but what an immeasurable life he had."

American astrophysisist Neil deGrasse Tyson wrote: "His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942-2018."

While in their own statement, US space agency NASA described Prof Hawking as an "ambassador of science".

They added: "His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity."

Ah, what a week for losing icons and legends. I’ll tweet more tomorrow when I have the measure of it, but what an immeasurable life he had. Love to Lucy and Tim and all the family and his devoted team. RIP Stephen.

— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) March 14, 2018

We have lost a colossal mind and a wonderful spirit. Rest in peace, Stephen Hawking. https://t.co/ectv7r4UIm

— Tim Berners-Lee (@timberners_lee) March 14, 2018

His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942-2018. pic.twitter.com/nAanMySqkt

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 14, 2018

Remembering Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicist and ambassador of science. His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity, as you said to astronauts on @Space_Station in 2014 pic.twitter.com/FeR4fd2zZ5

— NASA (@NASA) March 14, 2018

Prof. Stephen Hawking, who died today at 76 was the world’s most beloved & influential Scientist. Hawking showed the world that disability & having a debilitating disease isn’t a bar to ultimate success & long life. He made Cosmology simple & fun in his book A History Of Time .

— Donald B Kipkorir (@DonaldBKipkorir) March 14, 2018

RIP Stephen Hawking, it’s so sad waking up & seeing this.. But forever grateful for everything you gave us & left us & learned us. Be the way you are up there, make some magic with Einstein now. You were the example of a magnificent mind & a child who was never grown up. Legend.

— Darko Grncarov (@DarkoGrncarov) March 14, 2018

This world will be a much poorer place without Professor Stephen Hawking. What an inspiration for so many. One of those stars twinkling in the sky tonight will remind me of that twinkle he always had in his eye. RIP pic.twitter.com/neW9ucdVki

— Tony Shepherd (@tonysheps) March 14, 2018

Stephen Hawking voiced himself on The Simpsons nearly a dozen times. After once making a bold scientific statement, Homer backed him up, saying “Larry Flynt is right!” Apparently, both Hawking and Flynt have gone on the record saying they found this incredibly funny. pic.twitter.com/Eus69emZfM

— Ted Geoghegan (@tedgeoghegan) March 14, 2018