A regional journalist who worked with Caroline Aherne has paid tribute to the comedienne following her death aged 52.

David Behrens, digital editor at the Yorkshire Post, produced the pilot episode of the Mrs Merton Show, arguably Ms Aherne’s most famous creation.

The spoof BBC chatshow saw Ms Aherne, pictured left, appear as host Mrs Merton between 1995 and 1998.

David, who was a producer with Yorkshire TV from 1984-91, had produced a pilot of the show for YTV in 1991 before it was later picked up by the BBC.

He said: “She was a natural in front of the cameras and assumed the mantle of an old lady as effortlessly as putting on a hat.

“But before the character caught on, it polarised opinion. At least one TV executive thought the idea of a young woman playing an old lady was fundamentally unfunny.”

Ms Aherne, who died at her home, near Manchester, on Saturday, also co-wrote and starred in The Royle Family, and more recently narrated the Channel 4 programme Gogglebox.