COMEDIAN Johnny Vegas has paid a touching tribute to his mum after she passed away on Sunday.

Pat Pennington, also known as 'Ma Vegas', died on Sunday, the comedian has confirmed on social media.

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Ma Vegas became a St Helens treasure and earlier this year gained fans across the country as she featured alongside Johnny on All Round To Mrs Brown's, a spin-off of TV show Mrs Brown's Boys.

St Helens Star:

Johnny and his mum on All Round To Mrs Brown's

In an emotional post on Twitter Thatto Heath comedian Johnny, real name Michael Pennington, announced the sad news of his mum's passing.

Johnny said: "With a kind of deep regret that I’m still incapable of processing, I have to confirm that Ma Vegas, Patricia, passed away last Sunday, peacefully in her sleep.

"To say she was a bit of a character would be too huge an underestimation. As a Mum I dare to argue I had the best x".

St Helens Star:

Ma Vegas at the opening of the new M&S earlier this year