A "celebrity" gorilla who walked like a human has died after a sudden heart attack.

Ambam, 32, died at Port Lympne Reserve in Hythe over the weekend.

In 2011 the funny ape vent viral on social media when a video of him strolling around his enclosure was viewed nearly six million times across the globe.

A spokesman for the reserve said: "The team are devasted to announce the passing of Ambam, our celebrity gorilla.

"The cherished ape sadly passed away from a heart attack at the very respectable age of 32.

"He achieved worldwide celebrity status at the park due to his unusual habit of walking upright like a human.

"Ambam’s big personality and quirky mannerisms had established as a firm favourite with keepers and visitors alike.

"The charismatic primate had exhibited the behaviour his whole life, using it to gain a height advantage when scouring for food, to free both hands to carry more food and to keep his hands dry when it was raining.

"Ambam’s locomotion skills seemed to run in the family, as similar behaviour was exhibited by his sister Tamba and her son Kabale."

The gorilla's big personality and bipedal activity had established as a firm favourite with keepers and visitors alike.

Animal director Simon Jeffrey added: “This is an extremely difficult loss for everyone on the team. Ambam was one of our iconic characters and we’d all watched him grow from a spirited youngster into the magnificent silverback he was.

"He will be sorely missed and never forgotten.”