Allan Ahlberg dead: ITV's Woof! creator dies aged 87 as tributes pour in

Allan Ahlberg, the author of over 150 books and creator of ITV's iconic children show Woof!, has died of cancer aged 87. His publisher, Penguin Random House, confirmed the news.

Allan and his first wife Janet, an illustrator who together created 37 books, shaped the childhoods of a generation with their beloved stories, including Each Peach Pear Plum, The Jolly Postman, Funnybones, and Cops and Robbers.

One of his most celebrated stories was Woof! about a boy who turns into a dog, was turned into an ITV series. The show began in 1989 and ran to 1997, with different actors appearing as the main character Eric Banks. Over time the show developed new cast members including Anthony Head, who also had Eric's affliction.

The series features a number of cameos from high profile actors, such as Leslie Grantham, Stephen Fry, Anita Dobson, Penelope Keith, Leslie Phillips, and Andrew Sachs.

After news broke of Allan's death people flocked to social media to share their sadness. Fellow children's author Michael Rosen wrote: "Goodbye Allan. You were a pioneer of great children's literature, both in picture books and poetry. You were clever, funny and wise. My children loved your books. So did and so DO I."

Another tribute read: "Rest in peace Allan Ahlberg. I remember 35 years ago our school had to say his award winning poem, 'Please Mrs Butler'. Thanks for making our childhood great."

Someone else wrote: "As a child, a mother, a teacher and children's author, Allan and Janet Ahlberg's books have meant so much to me. An enormous part of the landscape of childhood; books to truly get lost and found in."

While a third bereft fan wrote: "Some of my happiest childhood moments are from reading these books with my mum and dad. And Woof! was hilarious, they don't make shows like that anymore. RIP Allan Ahlberg."

Head of children's literature at Penguin Random House, Francesca Dow said: "Allan was one of the most extraordinary authors I have had the privilege and pleasure to work with.

"His brilliant books - so many of them created with his late wife, Janet, the highly talented illustrator - have been described as 'mini masterpieces'. Allan's are some of the very best - true classics, which will be loved by children and families for years to come. Dear Allan, we will all miss you enormously."

Allan worked as a postman, plumber and gravedigger before becoming a teacher and meeting his first wife Janet. According to an interview with the author, he began writing in his late thirties, when Janet asked him to write a story for her to illustrate because she was tired of non-fiction. He said of the moment it was "as if she turned a key in my back and I was off".

The couple had a daughter, Jessica, who is also an illustrator. Janet died from breast cancer in 1994, and Allan remarried his second wife Vanessa.