A profesor who has served the Royal Marsden Hospital for nearly 40 years has passed away suddenly.

The hospital announced "with deep sadness" that on January 10, Professor Martin Gore CBE died.

"Martin was at the heart of The Royal Marsden’s life and work in research, treatment and the training of our next generation of oncologists," the hospital wrote in a statement on its website.

"His contribution as medical director for 10 years, a trustee of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, and as a clinician is unparalleled.

"He has been a friend, colleague and mentor to so many people and his loss will be immense."

In 2016, Martin was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to oncology.

He said at the time that it was a pleasure to have worked for the hospital for such a long time.

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"I have been extremely fortunate to have worked at The Royal Marsden for more than 30 years where one is surrounded by such dedicated and talented colleagues from all healthcare professions and disciplines," he said in 2016.

"I want to thank them for their support, this honour really belongs to them.

"Above all I want to remember and pay tribute to my patients and their families who through their courage and determination have inspired me, particularly during some dark days when improvements in treatment for some appeared unobtainable.

"The changes we have witnessed in cancer care over my professional life are truly remarkable but more importantly, I believe we are on the cusp of a new era of ever more effective therapies."

Will Gore, Professor Gore's son, said: "Losing Dad has left a huge gap in our close-knit family and at the Royal Marsden, where he spent the majority of his professional life.

"My mother, my two brothers and my sister, and the rest of our family have been comforted by the many tributes we have read from patients, their families and other doctors that show what a brilliant and inspiring oncologist he was.

"Despite the nature of his work, Dad didn’t take life too seriously: he had a wicked sense of humour which he was never afraid to deploy and was always first up on the dance floor.

"We have many happy memories to remember him by. There was no one like him."

After qualifying in medicine in 1974, he first worked at The Royal Marsden in 1978 as a senior house officer.

In 2006, Professor Gore was appointed medical director, before stepping down in 2016.

In 2015 he was awarded The Royal Marsden’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

If you are a patient of Professor Gore’s and have any clinical queries you can call the hospital's hotline on 020 8915 6899.