American TV legend Larry King has died, aged 87, weeks after testing positive for Covid-19.

An official statement posted to King’s Twitter account said he had passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

His Ora Media company confirmed the sad news, saying: "With profound sadness, Ora Media announces the sad death of our co-founder, host and friend Larry King.

"For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television and digital media, Larry's may thousands of interviews, awards and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster.

"Additionally, while it was his name appearing in the shows' titles, Larry always viewed his interview subjects as the true stars of his programs, and himself as merely an unbiased conduit between the guest and audience.

"Whether he was interviewing a US president, foreign leader, celebrity, scandal-ridden personage or an everyman."

King was admitted to hospital in Los Angeles In January after contracting Covid-19.

His death comes after years of health problems that plagued the star over the years including battles with lung and prostate cancer.

He also survived a heart attack in 1987 and a near-fatal stroke in 2019, that had left him in a coma for weeks.