Beloved CBeebies star broke fans' hearts before tragic death at 43

LazyTown star Stefan Karl Stefansson broke fans' hearts with a poignant farewell in his final Instagram message. The actor, who played Robbie Rotten in the children's TV series star tragically died in August 2018, aged 43, following his brave fight against cancer.

The Icelandic performer had confronted bile duct cancer in 2016 and following an operation it appeared he was making a recovery. In a moving final Instagram update in June 2017, before his illness returned, Stefan Karl expressed gratitude to his supporters for their backing. He shared a picture of a rainbow accompanied by the message: "At the end of every storm there is a rainbow of hope."

His emotional words read: "From the bottom of my heart I thank you for the support you provide me. You give me hope and you all move me."

Devastatingly, by March 2018, the illness had come back, this time beyond treatment. In a touching Twitter post in March 2018, the star reflected: "It's not until they tell you you're going to die soon that you realize how short life is.

"Time is the most valuable thing in life because it never comes back. And whether you spend it in the arms of a loved one or alone in a prison cell, life is what you make of it. Dream big."

Heartbroken fans flocked to the comments to pay their respects, with one supporter writing: "Rest in peace Stefan Karl you were a brilliant part of my childhood and recently my teen years we will all miss you."

"Thank you so much, Stefan. You made my childhood. RIP," another admirer emotionally wrote. A third commented: "Rest In Peace you will always be Number 1". One devotee added: "You were a perfect actor this was your last photo you will not be forgotten."

A family representative confirmed to TMZ that he died surrounded by the love of friends and family.

In previous Instagram posts, he'd talked about his illness. One photo featured Stefan alongside his nine year old son, with him adding the comment: "My son Steini turned 9 the other day. I am also back and my recovery is going well."

And in an earlier post, alongside a picture of him in a hospital bed, Stefan Karl wrote in his native language, "Lyfjameðferð hálfnuð eftir þennan skammt, skál fyrir því," which translated as: "Medications halfway point after this dose."

Celebrated for his portrayal of the scheming Robbie Rotten in the children's programme, which was shown on CBeebies and Nick Jr in the UK, he initially won over audiences from 2004 to 2007 before returning once again from 2013 to 2014. He lived in Los Angeles with wife, three daughters, and one son.