The actor did not attend the inquest into his son's death

Clifton Tomlinson died in Wrexham Maelor Hospital last year, just three days before his 34th birthday.

Clifton, who was Mr Tomlinson's son by his first wife Marlene, had battled against alcohol addiction for many years, the inquest was told.

On Wednesday coroner John Hughes recorded a verdict of death by abuse of alcohol.

Ricky Tomlinson, most famous for his role as Jim Royle in television's The Royle Family, was not at Wednesday's hearing.

He had been strongly advised that he needed to stop drinking or he would die of liver failure Coroner John Hughes

Clifton Tomlinson, from Coedpoeth near Wrexham, died in hospital on 4 December last year after fighting a battle against alcohol for years.

He had confided in his mother that he had a drink problem and sought help from his family and doctors.

The coroner said that he clearly recognised the grip that alcohol had got on him and that he had fought hard to overcome it.

In 2002, Mr Tomlinson went to a detoxification centre in Harrogate and came out focused and able to control himself, the inquest heard.

However, from 2003 he had been admitted to hospital on a number of occasions because of internal bleeding and other complications linked to his drinking.

Coroner John Hughes said: "This is a case where sadly the position is quite clear.

"He had been strongly advised that he needed to stop drinking or he would die of liver failure."