Harry Thompson, a co-creator of Have I Got News For You, has died at the age of 45.

The television comedy writer and producer also worked on They Think It's All Over, Da Ali G Show and Monkey Dust.

"I can't believe this has happened, and happened so quickly," said Peter Fincham, controller of BBC One. "He was that rarity in television – the talented, single-minded, subversive, unassimilated maverick."

Thompson had been diagnosed with lung cancer of an inoperable nature in April. He died on Monday, having married his long-term girlfriend Lisa Whadcock earlier that day.