Scottish actor Iain McColl has died at the age of 59.

The Dumbarton- born actor, who played Doddie in BBC sitcom Rab C Nesbitt, died at the Beatson Clinic in Glasgow where he had been undergoing chemotherapy.

Today, his sister Martha said the 59-year-old had been entertaining people until the end.

She said: "Just last week he put on a show for the patients and staff at the hospital and he was hilarious.

"He was doing impersonations of Chic Murray and Tommy Cooper and he had people in stitches. He couldn't not make people laugh."

McColl was regarded as one of the funniest actors in Scotland.

During his career he worked extensively for the Comedy Unit production centre in Glasgow and starred alongside Gerard Kelly in 1980s sitcom City Lights as Big Tam.

He also had roles in films such as Gangs of New York and Comfort and Joy. And at one point he toured as a magician.

His personal life was every bit as colourful as the characters he played on screen.McColl found himself written up on police charge sheets several times, and had a history of substance abuse.

He was banned from driving for 10 years after being found guilty of drink driving.

Sister Martha said: "He lived life at 100 miles per hour. He was like that since he was a baby."

The actor first revealed he had cancer in 2008.

It looked as though he had beaten the disease and Nesbitt writer Ian Pattison was keen to reintroduce his character back into the show.

The actor had cleaned up his act and become teetotal.

In 2011 he returned to Rab C. Nesbitt, taking his customary place at the bar of the Five Ways pub alongside Brian Pettifer's Andra.

Martha said her brother passed away quietly in his sleep.

She said: "He wasn't in any pain. He never complained during the whole time he was ill.

"He went to sleep on Wednesday night and slept right through. He passed away last night at around 9pm."

The funeral has yet to be arranged. However Martha, who was her brother's carer in the last year of his life, asked those who attend not to bring flowers.

She said: "Iain said that's not what he wanted. If people would like to make a donation to the Beatson Hospital that would be fantastic.

"The hospital staff are devastated. Iain made such a huge impact upon them.

"And I'd really like to say the care they gave him right to the end was fantastic."

McColl had been divorced for several years from ex-wife Nora, but is survived by three children, Rhianan, Ciaran and Maurice, and his brother Donny.