Tom Smothers, of comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, dies aged 86

Comedian Tom Smothers who has died at the age of 86 (Louis Lanzano/AP)

US comedian Tom Smothers, one half of comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, has died aged 86 after a “recent battle with cancer”.

Smothers died “peacefully” at his home surrounded by his family on December 26.