British Olympian 5,000m runner and coach John Nuttall dies from a heart attack aged 56... leaving his wife, two children and step-daughter - who are all athletes - in mourning

British Olympian John Nuttall, the husband of Liz McColgan, has died from a heart attack aged 56.

The former distance runner competed for Great Britain in the 5,000metres at Atlanta 1996, as well as at the 1993 and 1995 World Championships. He won a bronze medal for England at the Commonwealth Games at Victoria 1994.

After retiring, Nuttall went on to be a successful elite coach and supported British endurance runners into the London 2012 Olympics. He was most recently working with his wife McColgan at the Doha Athletic Club in Qatar.

Former Scottish runner McColgan, the 1991 world 10,000m champion, announced the news of her husband’s death on social media on Friday.

She posted: ‘It is with great sadness and a heavy heart I write this. My husband John Nuttall died yesterday morning with a sudden heart attack.

Former British distance runner John Nuttall has passed away from a heart attack aged 56

After his retirement Nuttall became an elite coach and member of Team GB’s Olympic set-up

Most recently, Nuttall had been working as a coach alongside his wife Liz McColgan in Qatar

‘A much-loved dad, son, brother and husband. For those that love John, our hearts are breaking.’

Nuttall was previously married to another former British distance runner, Alison Wyeth.

His two children from that marriage, Hannah Nuttall and Luke Nuttall, both currently run for Great Britain.

Nuttall’s step daughter is Eilish McColgan, who is the Commonwealth 10,000m champion.

UK Athletics said in a statement: ‘Everyone at UKA is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our former colleague John Nuttall.

‘His loss is felt deeply by friends and colleagues here at UKA who worked alongside and knew John. Our thoughts are very much with his family and close friends at this time.’