SPIKE Milligan, the last of the Goons, is dead.

The madcap comic, who was 83, died early today at his home near Rye, East Sussex, surrounded by his family, his agent Norma Farnes said.

Milligan had suffered ill health for some time and had been nursed by his third wife, Shelagh, in recent months. He died of liver failure.

The Prince of Wales, once famously described by the comic as a "little grovelling bastard", was said today to be "deeply saddened to hear the news".

His spokesman said: "He knew Spike Milligan over many years and had a great affection for him."

York fans and associates today paid tribute to his comic genius, and spoke of their sadness at his death.

Keen fan Richard Cartwright said: "I used to listen to all the Goon Shows, and I have got all his books. I went to his last book signing ceremony at Waterstones in 1999. I was very saddened when I heard the news. He is one of the last great comic characters."

Jack Duncan, who runs an antiquarian and second hand books shop in Fossgate, said he had produced the first-ever production of Milligan's The Bedsitting Room at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury in the early 1960s, a play which had subsequently gone on to a successful run in London.

"I met him quite a few times. He was quite obviously a total original and a genius. I am always saddened at the loss of a talent like this."

Milligan hit the Evening Press headlines in 1998, when he travelled hundreds of miles to Full Sutton Jail, near Stamford Bridge, to show his support for "brave" animal rights campaigner and hunger striker Barry Horne, who died last year.

He said Horne, who was in prison for firebombing offences, was a "very brave" person, and he criticised the Government's stance on animal rights issues. "I am an animal aid person. I support the whole animal world," he said.

Milligan's death marks the end of an era for one of the greatest comedy teams of all time. His madcap and absurd sense of humour dominated the Goons, whose other members, Sir Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers and Michael Bentine, have all died.

When Sir Harry died last April, Milligan, paid tribute to his friend in his usual wry style saying: "I grieve for an unbelievable friend."

The comedian received an honorary knighthood from the Prince of Wales last year.

In March last year the pair met at St James's Palace to receive the honour, which could only be honorary because he had adopted his father's Irish nationality.

Milligan had been plagued with mental illness and manic depression during his life suffering no fewer than ten breakdowns.

In latter years he also suffered failing physical health.

Tributes were paid by the BBC, which produced the Goon Show.

Jenny Abramsky, Director of Radio, said: "He was a genius, one of the critical people who put radio comedy on the map.."

The BBC's head of comedy, Jon Plowman, said: "It is very sad. He was one of the true greats whose influence can be seen in a huge amount of comedy that we do today."

Updated: 14:39 Wednesday, February 27, 2002