LONDON (AP) — A British publicist says comedian Caroline Aherne, a writer and star of the working-class comedy "The Royle Family," has died from cancer at 52.

Aherne was best known for her "Royle Family" character Denise, a typically sofa-bound, chain-smoking neglectful mother. She co-wrote and helped to direct the show during its Bafta-winning run from 1998 to 2000.

She also starred in her own 1995-98 comedy talk show in the nosy-grandma persona of Mrs. Merton, who adopted a tone of naive innocence as she asked falsely sympathetic, insinuating questions of her guests.

Publicist Neil Reading said Aherne died Saturday at her home in Manchester, northwest England.

Aherne was a heavy smoker and drinker who had battled depression, including a 1998 suicide attempt. She had been treated for several forms of cancer.