At the age of just 40...

Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar said they were ‘stunned and completely broken hearted’ about his death at Whipps Cross University Hospital

In a statement, the couple, who also worked with Sardana on The Kumars at Number 42, said: ‘He was not just a gifted writer and a long-standing colleague and friend. We were part of each other's extended families and losing him feels like losing a brother.

‘There is so much he should have and could have done, though we're grateful and so very proud of what he achieved in his all-to-brief life.’

Sardana reportedly collapsed at his father’s home earlier in the week, suffering from a streptococcal virus.

Jon Plowman, who produced Goodness Gracious Me for the BBC, said: ‘It's a very sad day for comedy to lose a writer who managed to help comedy break through in the way that Goodness Gracious Me did.

‘He never forgot that comedy should be funny first and provocative second. This is a truly shocking loss.’

Published: 30 Jan 2009