Eggheads star Dave Rainford has died, the game show’s host Jeremy Vine has confirmed.

Posting on Twitter – along with a photo of the general knowledge master – Vine wrote: “I’m very sad to hear that one of the Eggheads has died.

“Dave ‘Tremendous Knowledge’ Rainford, famous for being banned from pub quiz machines in Manchester, was the best company after a recording: always fun and sociable.

“I never saw him angry or ungenerous, not once. RIP.”

Rainford, who was in his early 50s, was a regular on the BBC show but reportedly had to step down last year following an unconfirmed illness.

When fans noticed he was missing from the line-up in August last year, Rainford tweeted: “Brand new Eggheads starting on Monday.

“I was still recuperating when these programmes were recorded, but I can promise you that there are some great shows coming up with excellent challengers that will keep you on the edge of your seats. Keep watching.”

The quiz enthusiast shot to prominence following his appearance on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in 2015, when he won £250,000. He later secured a role as an Egghead.

On Saturday, “RIP Dave” was trending on Twitter, with fans paying tribute to the star.

Among those tweeting was fellow quizmaster Paul Sinha, who appears on the game show The Chase.

“Devastated at the loss of my friend, David Rainford,” he wrote. “Egghead, great bloke, great friend. We had blindingly good nights out mate. X.”