Joan Rivers' daughter has thanked fans for their messages of support following her mother's death.

She wrote in a WhoSay post: "As my son Cooper and I mourn the loss of my mother, we want to thank everyone for the beautiful cards and flowers conveying heartfelt messages and condolences, which continue to arrive from around the world and through social media. My mother would have been overwhelmed by the scope and depth of the love that people have expressed for her. It is certainly helping to lift our spirits during this time.

"We are forever grateful for your kindness and support in continuing to honor my mother's legacy, and for remembering the joy and laughter that she brought to so many."

Meanwhile, a publicist has admitted a recording billed as the last made by Joan - who died after suffering a cardiac arrest following a routine procedure on her throat - was actually made by an impersonator.

Though the comic had been hired to record a radio ad for Brad Zimmerman's off-Broadway show 'My Son the Waiter, a Jewish Tragedy' but after going into hospital, Beck Lee hired someone else to record a "rehearsal" tape in the star's voice, before posting it on YouTube and billing it as Joan's last session.

He admitted to the New York Post Newspaper's Page Six column: "I hired an impersonator and made the tape last week. I did claim it was made by Joan Rivers and it was her voice. I wish I hadn't."

The clip was blasted by Joan's spokesperson as a "disrespectful publicity stunt".