Rob Ford: Crack-smoking ex-Toronto mayor dies aged 46

Controversial crack-smoking former mayor of Toronto Rob Ford has died after a battle with cancer, his family announced today.

Mr Ford, 46, had been undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of cancer that had reoccurred despite surgery and several rounds of chemotherapy.

A statement from his family said today: "With heavy hearts and profound sadness, the Ford family announces the passing of their beloved son, brother, husband, and father, Councillor Rob Ford, earlier today at the age of 46.

“A dedicated man of the people, Councillor Ford spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto."

The politician became notorious after admitting to smoking crack cocaine and battling a drink problem.

Allegations about his drug use began in 2012 when a video emerged of him smoking on a crack pipe.

He later admitted he had smoked the drug, blaming its use on “one of my drunken stupors” but denying he was an addict.

And despite being repeatedly videotaped while intoxicated in public, he was later elected by a landslide to a city council seat.

He was diagnosed in September 2014 with pleomorphic liposarcoma, a rare and hard-to-treat cancer found in soft, fatty tissue of the body, after he was admitted to hospital with abdominal pain.

The man who replaced Ford as mayor, John Tory, offered his condolences, calling Ford "a man who spoke his mind and who ran for office because of the deeply felt convictions that he had.”