Astrologer Jonathan Cainer has died from a heart attack aged 58, his assistant has said.

Cainer was found by his wife Sue on Sunday night and he was pronounced dead at hospital.

Daily Mail astrologer between 1992 and 2000, Cainer returned as a columnist in 2004 and regularly appeared on television to discuss astrology.

A spokeswoman said: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Jonathan passed away last night.

“‘Didn’t he see it coming?’ is a question that will inevitably be asked. Jonathan was always adamant that astrologers should not look to predict the time of a person’s demise. He said there was the danger of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“Jonathan had a remarkable and unique gift. He does not take it with him, he leaves it with us.”

A Sagittarian, Cainer’s own horoscope for today was “uncannily prescient”, added the statement.

He had written: “We aren’t here for long. We should make the most of every moment. We all understand this yet don’t we forget it, many times? We get caught up in missions, battles and desires. We imagine that we have forever and a day. In one way, we may be right – for are we not eternal spirits, temporarily residing in finite physical form?”

(Sarah Van den driessche/PA)
(Sarah Van den driessche/PA)

According to the statement, Cainer had written forecasts and predictions well in advance which will continue to be published.

His nephew, Oscar, also a qualified astrologer, will “carry on his tradition and provide a fresh new voice”, the statement said.

A Daily Mail spokesman said: “Jonathan Cainer was, quite simply, Britain’s greatest astrologer. A much-loved contributor to the Daily Mail for 20 years, his wisdom and compassion were unmatched.

“Millions of readers couldn’t start the day without him – and would end it marvelling at the uncanny accuracy of his forecasts.

“It’s an absolute tragedy that Jonathan has passed away at such a young age and we have no doubt his countless fans will join us in expressing heartfelt condolences to his family.”