Rizzle Kicks Pay Tribute To James Avery After The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Star Dies

2 January 2014, 08:10 | Updated: 2 January 2014, 08:11

The 'Mama Do The Hump' star join the millions on Twitter mourning the loss of the much-loved actor.

Rizzle Kicks are among millions of fans on Twitter paying tribute to the late actor James Avery – famed for playing Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.

The actor passed away aged 65 on 31^st December, with the news being broken by his publicist early yesterday.

Co-star and recent I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here contestant Alfonso Ribeiro tweeted: "I'm deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away."

He added: "He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly." 

R.I.P James Avery. Thank you for frequently making our childhood a lot more entertaining. http://t.co/epybtiqrcM

— Rizzle Kicks (@RizzleKicks) January 2, 2014

Rizzle Kicks added their own tribute this morning, posting a picture of James alongside Will Smith and thanked him for helping make their childhood.

They wrote: "R.I.P James Avery. Thank you for frequently making our childhood a lot more entertaining."

James' publicist, Cynthia Snyder, told the Associated Press that Avery died on Tuesday in Glendale, California, following complications from open heart surgery.

The late actor is survived by his wife Barbara, his mother Florence and stepson Kevin Waters.

James latest project was working on the Zach Braff film Wish I Was Here, which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month.