Donkey that inspired iconic Shrek character dies aged 30

The celebrity donkey was born in 1994 and lived a glamorous life in California.

Perry, who lived at the private Barron Park Donkey pasture in Palo Alto, California, was just three years old when directors Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson identified him as a muse for the fictional donkey who would later appear in 2001's Shrek.

Perry was sketched and photographed to assist animators with creating his animated likeness, and earned approximately £60 for his contribution the Dreamworks Animation hit.

According to Palo Alto Online, the famous donkey died after battling a painful hoof disease called laminitis.

Jenny Kiratli, the lead handler of the Barron Park Donkey Project, issued the following statement: “It is with great sadness that I am reporting the death of the incomparable Perry," she wrote.

"We are heartbroken with his passing, but recently he had been in increasing pain, suffering from a condition known as laminitis which is not curable. This was the right time (for him) to say goodbye although still too soon for us.

"In Perry’s last weeks, handlers spent many hours at the pasture with him, petting him, cradling him, singing to him, and telling him that he was and always will be loved."

Ms Kiratli continued: "We are all blessed for having known him and we will never, ever forget him."

Perry has become a mascot for the city of Palo Alto, and City Council last year spent $10,000 to help with his medical bills.

The tragic news comes amid reports that Shrek 5 is officially in development with a scheduled release date in 2026.

Several of the franchise’s original stars are set to return to the fold, including Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz.

The return of Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots has yet to be confirmed.

It'll be interesting to see whether the filmmakers include a tribute to the late and legendary Perry in the fifth instalment of the franchise.