Shannen Doherty's ex-husband Ashley Hamilton has described her as his "guardian angel" following her death aged 53.

The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' actress passed away after a near decade-long battle with cancer, and Ashley - who was married to Shannen for just five months - has praised the late star for standing by him during some of his "darkest times".

He told TMZ: "Shannen was not only my wife, she was my guardian angel.

"Even though things don’t always work out the way we hope they will, she stood by my side during some of my darkest times.

"My love and admiration for her lasted far longer than our short-lived marriage."

Ashley - who wed Shannen in 1993 after knowing her for only two weeks - praised her for battling cancer "with such stoicism".

He said: "Watching her battle that horrific disease with such stoicism was inspiring to many, but even more so to me since I am a cancer survivor.

"The world lost a free-spirited soul and my heart aches for her and for all those who loved her. May she rest in peace."

Shannen's publicist Leslie Sloane confirmed last weekend that she had passed away.

She told People magazine: "It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease.

"The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace."

Shannen was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and was in remission by 2017, but her illness returned three years later and in 2023 she revealed it had spread to her bones and brain.