Friends and fans including Hilary Clinton have shared messages of support

If you follow Cher on Twitter, you'll be aware that the singer is as iconic and as outspoken a celeb as you'll find on the social media platform.

The 76-year-old has not been afraid to share her thoughts on political matters in recent years - most notably her feelings on Donald Trump - and is a pretty active, if charmingly eccentric presence on Twitter.

In recent days, however, she was absent from social media and yesterday revealed the sad reason why: her 96-year-old mother Georgia Holt has passed away.

Earlier in the year, Cher had revealed that her mum had been battling an illness, tweeting in September: "Sorry I’ve Been Mia. Mom’s Been Sick Off & On. She Just Got Out Of Hosp. She Had Pneumonia. She’s Getting Better.’ 

She added: "Home is the Best Medicine For Her…She’s Getting Better. Thank All Of You For Your Prayers."

Now, friends and fans have been rallying around her to comfort her during this sad period of loss, including Hillary Clinton, actress Ellen Barkin and Irish musician Imelda May.

Holt was herself a singer and dancer and made numerous TV and stage appearances with her daughter. She was married six times throughout her life, with two children - Cher and her half-sister Georganne LaPiere.

RIP.