Stars pay tribute

Charlie Murphy, the comedian and older brother of Eddie Murphy, has died at the age of 57.

The comic, known for his sketches on Chappelle's Show, died in New York of leukaemia.

His segment on the Comedy Central show would involve telling of encounters with high stars such as Prince, which would be acted out.

Fellow comedians and other artists have paid tribute.

Chris Rock said: 'We just lost one of the funniest most real brothers of all time.'

On Instagram, Cedric The Entertainer wrote: 'He was honest and straight shooter, no BS kinda dude, awesome Father and family man. Had a gregarious laugh that would make you laugh, he stood on his own 2 feet as a man and as a comic even in the shadows of the brother of one of the greatest to have ever done it.'

And DL Hughley said: 'Charlie Murphy has such an indomitable will that you believe what he told you rather than what your eyes told you. I am sad that he's gone, but I'm also happy that I got a chance to know him.'

Hamilton playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda said that Murphy's 'storytelling was hilarious and unforgettable', Ice Cube said the comedian 'always made me laugh' and Shaquille O'Neall said: 'You will be missed'.

Murphy co-wrote films Norbert and Vampire In Brooklyn, which starred his brother, and appeared in the Adult Swim series Black Jesus.

In the hours before he died, Murphy tweeted: 'One to Sleep On: Release the past to rest as deeply as possible.’

Published: 13 Apr 2017