Peter Sellers' son dies at 52

The only son of Peter Sellers has died aged 52 - almost 26 years to the day after his father.

Michael Sellers, who had a tempestuous relationship with the star, was taken to hospital last week after a heart attack.

He died during a triple heart bypass operation in Oxford at the weekend.

A spokesman for the family said last night: 'Michael had suffered from diabetes for the last 20 years of his life, but his death is still a huge shock for all the family.'

His father, also a diabetic, died from a heart attack 26 years ago yesterday aged 54. Michael was the first child of the actor's marriage to actress Anne Levy.

The couple split in 1961 after ten years, before Peter - famous for his roles in The Pink Panther and Dr Strangelove - married Britt Ekland.

Despite enjoying the trappings of his father's fame while growing up, Michael was left penniless following Sellers' death. Peter left his £4million fortune, property and art collection to his fourth wife, Lynne Frederick.

Speaking about him four years ago, Michael said: 'As fathers go, he wasn't too hot. All he taught me about was living life in the fast lane.'

After a failed business venture restoring classic cars, Michael became a builder.

He lived in a modest house near Kettering, Northamptonshire, with his wife of 25 years, Alison, and their two teenage children.