Growing Pains 'dad' Alan Thicke has passed away

Sitcom star Alan Thicke has died aged 69. 

Alan, who was best known for his starring role in Growing Pains, suffered a heart attack while playing hockey with his 19-year-old son Carter.

His son, singer Robin Thicke, has spoken to media, saying his father was "the greatest man I ever met" and "always a gentleman".

"I saw him a few days ago and told him how much I loved and respected him."

His role as psychiatrist Dr. Jason Seaver in the family sitcom Growing Pains, which launched the careers of Kirk Cameron and Leonardo DiCaprio and ran for seven seasons from 1985.

Thicke's career was impressive, even hosting his own talk show along with acting appearances in the likes of Married With Children, The Love Boat and The Bold and the Beautiful.

Behind the scenes, he was also an accomplished producer and composer of TV theme tunes: He wrote the theme songs for Diff'rent Strokes, The Facts of Life and the original theme tune to Wheel of Fortune.

Thicke is survived by three sons, Robin, Brennan and Carter, and his third wife, model Tanya Callau, who he wed in 2005.