Dame Felicity Lott, one of Britain's best-loved sopranos, has died aged 79 – just five days after she publicly revealed a terminal cancer diagnosis. Her agent confirmed the news to the BBC, saying: "In her work, she was sublime – inhabiting every performance with precision, depth and beauty.

"But it was her humanity and kindness that really touched people ... [We] will miss her warmth, sparkle and gloriously self-deprecating humour." The spokesman added that she lived with her illness "with great dignity and acceptance" and "was characteristically classy and elegant to the end". Her death on Friday came after she announced on Radio 4’s This Cultural Life on Sunday, May 10 that she had been given a terminal cancer diagnosis.

The star revealed she had been planning to sell her stunning couture gowns from her concert wardrobe to raise money for a local hospice group when she was told she would actually need to be organising her own end-of-life care.

"It’s quite ironic, really, because when I didn’t know that I was ill, I got in touch with the wonderful chief fundraiser," she said.

"I thought maybe we could auction them in aid of the hospices. Then, blow me, you get signed up to the hospice yourself.

"It has been amazing. I’ve known about being ill for almost a year, and my goodness, it was a shock. But here I am for a bit longer, and I’ve had time to look back and think, 'golly, you lucky thing … You’ve met all these wonderful people and had a wonderful life. You’ve been all over the world'."

The star's career began in 1974 when she made her operatic debut at the City of London Festival as Seleuce in Tolomeo by Handel.

She went on to build an international career, performing at opera houses and concert halls around the world, singing works by composers including Richard Strauss, Schubert and Mozart.

She received many awards and accolades throughout her career and was made a DBE in 1996.

Tributes flooded in for the star as fans and friends learned of her death.

One commented on Facebook: "A very sad loss, but given her terminal diagnosis, I'm glad she did not endure lengthy suffering. Her legacy lives on."

Another added: "Oh no, I can’t believe it. I only just read that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but I didn’t think it was this quick.

"What an enormous loss, an absolutely wonderful artist. I was very privileged to hear her many times, but her Marschallin was absolutely incredible and moving. RIP Dame Felicity."

A third added: "Sometimes God moves quickly. Read about her hospice comments just this week."

A fourth said: "Sad to hear this. She was a great personality and a fabulous singer. May she live in heaven."

A fifth shared: "What a loss. I learned the solos from Handel's Ode to St Cecilia in an evening guided by her recording to cover for a colleague. Sang it the next evening cold, based on that inspiration. She will be missed."

A sixth said: "She was phenomenal! So sad to hear she has passed away. Ever an inspiration. Rest in peace."