Eric Dane revealed first ALS symptom he noticed that led to diagnosis before death aged 53

Eric Dane candidly opened up about one of the first ALS symptoms he noticed that led to his diagnosis before his death at the age of 53.

The Grey’s Anatomy star's family confirmed to PEOPLE that he died on Thursday (19 February), leaving behind his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia.

The family announced the tragic news in a statement, which reads: "With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS.

"He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.

"Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight."

The message concluded: "He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time."

Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane passed away on Thursday following an ALS diagnosis last year (Scott Garfield/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

It was announced in April last year that Dane had been diagnosed with the rare degenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - a type of motor neurone disease which causes muscle weakness in the arms and legs that can cause you to trip and drop things.

While symptoms of ALS differ from person to person, as it depends on which nerve cells are affected, ALS usually starts with muscle weakness that spreads and worsens as time goes on.

Dane, who starred on the hit ABC medical drama as Dr Mark Sloan, previously opened up about his ALS diagnosis on Good Morning America last June, where he told Diane Sawyer that he now only has 'one functioning arm'.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare degenerative disease which causes muscle weakness (Getty Stock Images)

While Dane first went public with his ALS diagnosis in April, he first started having symptoms a year and a half before, when he began to experience weakness in his right hand.

Speaking to Sawyer, Dane recalled: "I didn’t really think anything of it at the time.

"I thought maybe I’d been texting too much or my hand was fatigued, but a few weeks later, I noticed it got a little worse. So I went and saw a hand specialist, who sent me to another hand specialist. I went and saw a neurologist, and the neurologist sent me to another neurologist and said, 'This is way above my pay grade'."

"I will never forget those three letters," Dane said. "It’s on me the second I wake up. It’s not a dream."

According to the Mayo Clinic, other ALS symptoms might include:

• Trouble walking or doing usual daily activities.
• Tripping and falling.
• Weakness in the legs, feet or ankles.
• Hand weakness or clumsiness.
• Slurred speech or trouble swallowing.
• Weakness associated with muscle cramps and twitching in the arms, shoulders and tongue.
• Untimely crying, laughing or yawning.
• Thinking or behavioural changes.

You can find out more about ALS on the official NHS website here.