Sir Denis Thatcher - who walked away unscathed from the 1984 Brighton bomb - has died today aged 88.

His wife Lady Margaret and family were at his bedside at Lister Hospital in London when he died peacefully in his sleep after a short illness.

Sir Denis was the prime minister's faithful consort throughout her 11 years at Number 10, The public image of a boozy buffer belied a crucial role in his wife's career at Westminster.

She once described him as the man "who has made everything possible"

After the IRA's Brighton bomb had claimed five lives and almost killed him and his wife, his only comment was: "It was quite a thump. You should have seen our bathroom. It looks as if it has been through a wringer."

He also accompanied Mrs Thatcher on many other Conservative Party conference visits to Brighton, notably in 1980 when she gave her famous speech including the line: "The lady's not for turning."

Sir Denis underwent a five-hour heart bypass operation in January. He appeared to recover and after a spell of convalescence in a spa hotel he travelled to South Africa to recuperate.

But back in Britain he felt unwell again two weeks ago and was admitted to the Royal Brompton Hospital, then later transferred to the Lister Hospital where he died.

Tributes flooded in from admirers across the political spectrum.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said: "He was a stalwart figure on the political scene for many years, and an undoubted support to his wife when she was Prime Minister.

"I would like to send my deepest condolences to Lady Thatcher and the rest of her family at this time."

Lady Thatcher's successor as prime minister, John Major, said today: "As the husband of the first woman prime minister, Denis Thatcher held a position unique in British history.

"He was a substantial man in his own right and provided Margaret Thatcher with dispassionate advice that he was wise enough to keep private and Margaret was wise enough to accept."

Brighton Tory councillors Carol and Geoffrey Theobald met Sir Denis many times when the Thatchers came to Brighton.

Mrs Theobald described how 20 years ago, when her husband was mayor, she danced with Denis at a civic ball in the Brighton Centre. The picture was used in The Argus.

She said: "He was delightful with a good sense of humour. He liked to have a drink and was good fun.

"He was unfailingly loyal to her and I know how much she will miss him."