Sandra Bullock's partner Bryan Randall has died aged 57

Sandra Bullock’s longtime partner, Bryan Randall, has died aged 57.

The photographer passed away following a secret three-year battle with ALS, according to a statement released by the family.

Tragically, the couple had been together for eight years before his untimely death.

His loved ones confirmed the sad news in a lengthy statement released on Monday evening (7 August).

It read: "It is with great sadness that we share that on Aug. 5, Bryan Randall passed away peacefully after a three-year battle with ALS."

Given to PEOPLE Magazine, the statement continued: "Bryan chose early to keep his journey with ALS private and those of us who cared for him did our best to honor his request."

"We are immensely grateful to the tireless doctors who navigated the landscape of this illness with us and to the astounding nurses who became our roommates, often sacrificing their own families to be with ours.

"At this time we ask for privacy to grieve and to come to terms with the impossibility of saying goodbye to Bryan," concluded the statement, which was signed from 'His loving family'.

The family also asked that well-wishers give donations to the ALS Association and the Massachusetts General Hospital, rather than flowers.

Randall had known Bullock for eight years, with the couple meeting at her son Louis' birthday party.

Having been hired to photograph the event, the A-listers began their relationship shortly after and even appeared publicly for the first time at Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux's wedding.

Though they preferred to keep their love out of the spotlight, Bullock did speak about the model-turned-photographer during an appearance on Red Table Talk.

In a rare candid moment, the Miss Congeniality actor discussed the possibility of them marrying, saying: "I found the love of my life. We share two beautiful children— three children, [Randall's] older daughter. It's the best thing ever."

"I don't wanna say do it like I do it, but I don't need a paper to be a devoted partner and devoted mother...[but] "He's the example that I would want my children to have.

"I have a partner who's very Christian and there are two different ways of looking at things. I don't always agree with him, and he doesn't always agree with me. But he is an example even when I don't agree with him."