George Best 1946 - 2005

In a statement from a spokesperson at the hospital it has been announced that the ex-Manchester United and Northern Ireland star died on Friday afternoon following "a long and very valiant fight".

Best had multiple organ failure following a lung infection which he developed last week led to internal bleeding.

He had been in west London's Cromwell Hospital since being admitted with flu-like symptoms on 1 October, later suffering a kidney infection.

Best, needed drugs after a 2002 liver transplant that made him susceptible to infection.

The Belfast-born former footballer and television pundit had been prescribed medication to suppress the immune system and prevent his body rejecting the new liver.

Best is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have graced the British and world game.

His heyday occurred during the 1960s, he became footballs first superstar with a pop star image, even being nicknamed the fifth Beatle. But with his playboy lifestyle came alcoholism, bankruptcy, a prison sentence for drink-driving and, eventually, a liver transplant. George Best was a star member of the Manchester United side that won the First Division title in 1965 and 1967 and the European Cup in 1968, and as recognition of his achievements he was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968.

Best made 466 appearances for the Old Trafford club, scoring a total of 178 goals, winning 37 caps - scoring nine goals for Northern Ireland.