The Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan found dead aged 46

The Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan has died 'suddenly', it was announced today.

The family of the mum-of-three, from Limerick in Ireland, are said to be 'devastated' by her death.

The troubled 46-year-old passed away at the London Hilton hotel. Police were called to the hotel on London's Park Lane at 9.05am on January 15.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police in Westminster are dealing with a sudden death. Officers were called at 09.05hrs on Monday, 15 January to a hotel in Park Lane, W1. A woman in her mid-40s was pronounced dead at the scene. At this early stage the death is being treated as unexplained. Inquiries continue. "

A spokeswoman for the London Hilton added: "It is with deep regret that we can confirm a guest sadly passed away at the hotel on Monday 15th January.

We offer our sincere condolences to their family at this difficult time. Team members acted swiftly to alert the Metropolitan Police and we are co-operating fully with their investigation."

Dolores had been in the capital for a recording session but her cause of her death is unknown at the moment.

A statement by the band - who have sold 40 million records with hits including Zombie and Linger confirmed: "Irish and international singer Dolores O’Riordan has died suddenly in London today. She was 46 years old. The lead singer with the Irish band The Cranberries, was in London for a short recording session. No further details are available at this time.

Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."

The star shared her final tweet on January 3, uploading a shot of herself and her cat with the caption, "Bye bye Gio. We're off to Ireland."

In recent years her music has been overshadowed by her troubled personal life.

She suffered a nervous breakdown in 2014 following her split from husband of 21 years, Duran Duran tour manager Don Burton.

Soon after she was pleaded guilty to head-butting and spitting on a police officer as she was arrested for an alleged air rage incident.

The court heard O’Riordan was suffering hypomania, sleep deprivation and paranoia at the time of the incident which saw her get pulled off an Aer Lingus flight to New York's JFK on November 10, 2014.