NICOLA Sturgeon has led tributes to a “wonderful person” and “crucial” Scottish Government worker who has died with coronavirus.

Andrew Slorance, a 49-year-old father and husband, passed away on Saturday morning.

Announcing the news on social media, his wife Louise posted: "It is with a broken heart that we say @slorance passed away with COVID-19 on Saturday morning."

Slorance was head of communication for the Scottish Government's emergency response unit and helped lead the nation’s response to the pandemic.

He was diagnosed with the rare and incurable cancer Mantle Cell Lymphoma in 2015 but during the pandemic managed to raise almost £9000 for Cancer Research UK for a sponsored 300-mile bike ride in September.

Having tested positive for Covid-19 in early November after undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, he was put on ventilation on November 20.

The First Minister led tributes on Twitter for the father-of-two, writing: "All of us in @scotgov are devastated by this news and send love to @LouiseSlorance and family.

"Andrew was a wonderful person and made a difference in all he did. He was a crucial part of our Resilience team and central to our fight against Covid this year.

"We will miss him hugely."

Slorance, a former journalist, was the first head of media relations for the Scottish Parliament after its creation in 1999 and was Alex Salmond's official spokesman between 2007 and 2010.

In 2012, he joined the government's resilience division as head of response and communications unit responsible for responding to and planning for major emergencies.

In September, Scotland's national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch described Slorance as an "actual legend" and tweeted: "Scotland....this man has done more during the pandemic than almost any other and now he is taking some time to once again face his own cancer fight.

"He is an actual legend....I wish him well and look forward to his return...."

Former presiding officer Tricia Marwick wrote: "Louise, I am so very sorry. Andrew was a good man. My thoughts are with you, his family and all who loved him most."

Former first minister Jack McConnell added: "Such a good guy. So terribly sad. Lots of and sympathy to you, Louise, and all the family."

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman also paid tribute.

She tweeted: "This is so very sad. Andrew was a lovely, kind man who fought so hard to live and many of us were proud to know and will miss him greatly. My heartfelt condolences to you Louise and all the family."