Adrian Mole's Diary author Sue Townsend dead at 68

The cherished British writer died after suffering a stroke. She was surrounded by loved ones when she passed away at her home in Leicester.

15:14 11 April 2014

Cherished British writer Sue Townsend died on Thursday night after suffering a stroke, it has now been revealed. 

 

In a statement, a friend of the family confirmed that the Adrian Mole’s Diary author was surrounded by loved ones when she passed away at her home in Leicester. The friend stated: "She was with her family. She'd been very ill recently - she'd suffered a stroke - and succumbed to that illness."

 

Townsend, one of the most brilliant writers of her time, was left blind due to the complications of her diabetes. She became famous worldwide for the success of her book series about Adrian Mole, a teenager who battles the challenges of his adolescence years under Margaret Thatcher’s government.  

 

The first book was published in 1982 and was followed by seven more sequel novels, which sold more than 8 million copies. The series was also translated into nearly 30 different languages and has been adapted for TV and for the stage. 

 

One of the first to pay tribute to the writer was Stephen Mangan, who played Adrian Mole in a 2011 BBC series. 

 

"Greatly upset to hear that Sue Townsend has died," he said. "One of the warmest, funniest and wisest people I ever met."