Louise Rennison, writer of Angus, Thongs And Full-Frontal Snogging, has died

Her publisher, HarperCollins, confirmed the news.

It is with huge sadness that we can confirm the death of our much loved author and friend, Louise Rennison.

— HarperCollinsUK (@HarperCollinsUK) February 29, 2016

In life, as in her writing, she brought joy and laughter. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and the readers whose lives she touched.

— HarperCollinsUK (@HarperCollinsUK) February 29, 2016

The hugely popular author penned a number of titles featuring the character Georgia Nicolson, including It’s OK, I’m Wearing Really Big Knickers and Knocked Out By My Nunga-Nungas.

And in 2008 the first book in a series called Angus, Thongs And Full-Frontal Snogging, featuring the teenage character who keeps a diary – writing about the ups and downs of puberty – was adapted for the big screen and directed by Gurinder Chadha.

Figures from the literary world paid tribute to the wordsmith who was thought to be in her 60s.

I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Louise Rennison, far too young.

— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) February 29, 2016

So sad about this loss. Louise Rennison was one of the authors who really inspired me when I was starting out. https://t.co/JYdCz9Nxih

— Ally Carter (@OfficiallyAlly) February 29, 2016

So, so sad to hear about Louise Rennison. Such a wonderful, talented and funny writer. Love to her family. 💔 pic.twitter.com/OlReUhgfCi

— Holly Smale (@HolSmale) February 29, 2016

Brought up in a three-bedroomed council house with her parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousin, she based several episodes in the Fab Confessions Of Georgia Nicolson books on her own childhood in Leeds, before moving to New Zealand with her parents at 15.

Rennison, who lived in Brighton, also wrote The Taming Of The Tights and the award-winning trilogy of The Misadventures Of Tallulah Casey.

She also worked for Radio 4 on Woman’s Hour and the John Peel Show and even wrote for the comedian Russ Abbot.