A Tauranga nurse has revealed her secret relationship with comedian Ewen Gilmour, who passed away this week.

Comedian Ewen Gilmour with his secret love Tauranga nurse Bernadette McKinley and his dog Rupert the Third. Photo: Facebook.

Bernadette McKinley, 37, this week revealed on social media the secret love between herself and the 51-year-old. The pair were apparently making plans for a bright future.

The mother-of-one and Ewen shared a very special but private relationship of about six months before he died on Friday.

She posted a photograph of Ewen and his dog Rupert the Third on her Facebook page in tribute of her former partner. Since then, messages of love and support for the mother have poured in.

'The whole of New Zealand is grieving beside you Bernadette. So sorry for your loss of your larger than life man,” one post reads.

'My warmest sympathies to you my friend,” reads another.

Fans of the comedian have also taken to his Facebook page sharing further messages of condolences.

'A funny man gone too soon. R.I.P Ewen. Ride easy and ride free,” says a fan. 'One of the greats gone to soon.”

'A clever quick witted and funny guy, a classic Kiwi comedian, gone too soon. Fly west Ewen!”

Speaking to SunLive on Friday, Ewen's father-in-law Tauranga's Dr David Rorke described the funny-man as 'the perfect son-in-law”.

Ewen became David and his late wife Tauranga historian Jinty Rorke's son-in-law when he married their daughter Cathy in 2003.

Sadly, Cathy was diagnosed with cancer a few years into their marriage and died in February 2011 at age 36.

A statement released by the family described Ewen as 'larger than life”.

'Ewen was a much loved and cherished member of our family. He was a larger than life character and by his very nature was kind, generous and always giving of his time to those who asked for his help.

'He was at such a great stage in his life – he had so much to live for and everything was going so well for him.

'The one comforting thought is that he is now at rest with his beloved late wife, Cathy.”

It's reported that a private ceremony for Ewen's family and friends is planned for next week. A public memorial will be held later on in the week.