Ashvin Luximon, who played Asif Malik in EastEnders, has died aged 38.

The actor – who appeared on the long-running BBC soap between 1999 and 2003 – died on 23 July “due to an aneurysm”, his family have said.

His character, who appeared in 146 episodes of EastEnders, was a school friend of Martin Fowler, with the pair often getting into trouble together.

A webpage set up by his family paid tribute to a “loving son, brother and friend”.

“This site is a tribute to Ash, who passed on the July 23, 2022, due to an aneurysm,” they wrote.

“Ash’s unexpected passing has hit us all hard, but we want to take the time to remember his larger-than-life spirit.

“He loved and was loved by so many.

“He sang a mean karaoke tune and had a voice loud enough to hear from space.

“He brought laughter and the best cuddles.”

Luximon, who was from Enfield, north London, also had minor roles in Grange Hill and Hope And Glory.