Michael Sleggs, Country actor, died at age 33 after "heart complications"

Michael Sleggs died at the age of 33, a few weeks after confirming that he was receiving end-of-life care.

The news of his death was confirmed by BBC Radio Gloucestershire in a tweet today, worded as follows: "Actor Michael Sleggs is dead.

The 33-year-old Cirencester player played Slugs in the BBC This Country comedy.

"He revealed in May that he was receiving palliative care for heart failure."

This Country Podcast's Twitter account also shared the news in these terms: "We are devastated!" Our friend, the legendary Michael Sleggs #Slugs, died last night.RIP Michael.You are one in a million. "

The news comes just a few weeks after the diagnosis of terminal cancer, but he later posted online that it was actually cancer free.

He is suspected of having received palliative care for heart failure.

Michael, who played the role of Michael 'Slugs' Slugette in the BBC Three comedy, had previously shared a heartbreaking message that he was dying.

He wrote: "Hi friends, as many of you probably know that I have spent a lot of time in the hospital in recent months.

"This last time, it was decided that I was at the end of the options, so they sent me to hospice palliative care to live the rest of my days at home.

"No specific time limit was set but the deterioration was quite fast.

"I have slept a lot and narrowly avoided coma by taking an accidental overdose of morphine the other day.

"Anyway, as you can imagine, this is not the ideal way to wish things are going well and my family is grappling with a lot of grief.

"I just wanted to say that I love all the people who read this status so much, you've all been so incredible, so kind and caring, and they've all touched my life in such unique and incredible ways.

"Sorry if this status is too short, but everyone does not have a chance to say goodbye so love me lol."

His latest Facebook post, which was shared on June 1, clarified false reports about his condition.

He confirmed that he had fought cancer as a child and had fully recovered before being diagnosed with heart failure in adulthood.

He wrote, "Well, let's clarify some things, I do not have cancer, it's been 18 years …

"Of course, I was recently given palliative care because my heart failure was out of control.

"Last Friday, I was sure I would not be here next week but, miraculously, I made a good rotation at the end of the week …

"Honestly, surviving was the last thing I thought it would happen last week …

"I do not know how long this turnaround will last, but I will try to stay alive as long as I can."

Michael is best known for playing Michael Slugette Slugette in this country.

The character appeared in seven episodes and, in a tragic twist, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer on the screen.

Before his death, Michael revealed that he had turned to God and that his Christian faith helped him through his last days.

His death comes shortly after the signing of a contract for the publication of his first book, described as a "fun and irreverent" autobiography entitled Memoirs Of A 90s School Boy.