Kingston-born publicist Max Clifford died yesterday after collapsing in prison.

The 74-year-old Hersham resident, who was serving an eight-year jail sentence for historic sex offences at Littlehey Prison, was said to be “in a bad way” before dying in hospital on December 10.

His daughter, Louise, 46, said Clifford first collapsed in his cell on Thursday when he was trying to clean it.

She said it “was just too much” for him and after he collapsed again the next day and was unconscious for several minutes, he was transferred to a hospital where he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Clifford, known for representing dubious celebrities, was jailed in May 2014 after being convicted of a string of indecent assaults between 1977 and 1985, using his connections to lure his victims.

He was caught under Operation Yewtree and some of his victims were as young as 14.

He was the first person to be convicted as part of the national investigation. During his sentencing, he branded his accusers as “fantasists”.

His appeal in November of that year failed.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: “As with all deaths in custody, there will be an investigation by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.

“Our condolences are with Mr Clifford's family at this difficult time.”