The Script guitarist Mark Sheehan has died aged 46

Mark Sheehan, guitarist and co-founder of The Script, has sadly passed away at just 46 years old, the band has announced.

The musician died in hospital after a brief illness, according to a statement from the Irish rock band.

"Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness," the group wrote on their social media.

"The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time."

The Script were founded in Dublin in 2001 with Sheehan on guitar, Glen Power on drums and lead singer Danny O'Donoghue.

Their first album, named The Script, peaked at number one in both the UK and Ireland in 2008, with debut single We Cry charting at 15 in the UK.

Another song from the album, The Man Who Can't Be Moved, reached number two in the singles charts.

The band's follow-up album, Science and Faith, was released in 2010 and also hit number one in the UK and Ireland, while their third, named #3, peaked at number two in the UK.

Three more albums followed, No Sound Without Silence, Freedom Child, and Sunsets & Full Moons, all of which reached number one in the album charts in the UK and Ireland.