Former England international Ray Wilkins has died in hospital at the age of 61.

Wilkins was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting, London last week after suffering a cardiac arrest and was placed in an induced coma.

He leaves behind his wife Jackie, with whom he had two children, Ross and Jade. 

Wilkins, who has bravely battled poor health including ulcerative colitis over the last few years, was given the all clear after a double heart bypass operation last July.

Two years ago he checked into the Priory Hospital in Woking for a five-week rehabilitation programme after being banned from driving for four years for drink-driving.

Yet the popular former Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan midfielder continued to work in the media on a regular basis and was held in the highest regard by everyone in football.

Born in Hillingdon, Wilkins came through the ranks at his boyhood club Chelsea and made his first-team debut against Norwich City at the age of 17 in 1973.

He would go on to play 179 league matches for the club over the next six years having been appointed club captain at just 18.

After relegation in 1978-79, Chelsea accepted an offer of £800,000 from Manchester United and Wilkins was on his way north.

He made 160 league appearances for the Old Trafford club and helped them win the FA Cup in 1983, defeating Brighton and Hove Albion in the final.

In 1984, United sold Wilkins to Italian giants Milan for £1.5m and he spent three years with the club before a brief spell at Paris Saint-Germain and two years at Rangers.

Wilkins returned to London in 1989, spending five seasons with Queens Park Rangers and amassing over 150 league appearances.

He also represented Crystal Palace, Wycombe, Hibernian, Millwall and Leyton Orient in the twilight of his playing career.  

Wilkins was called up to play for England by Don Revie in 1976, making his debut against Italy during a tournament in the United States.

He quickly became an established name in the team, helping England qualify for the 1980 European Championships, their first finals in a decade.

In all, Wilkins won 84 caps for his country, captaining the side on 10 occasions and scoring three goals.