Actor and comedian Stephen Fry has vacated his role as director of the Norwich City board after five years.

The 58-year-old former Blackadder star will be replaced by Thomas Smith, who is the nephew of majority shareholder Delia Smith.

Fry, who is a lifelong supporter of the club, will not walk away from the Canaries entirely as he has been given a new ambassadorial role.

"My five years in the role have been an honour and a privilege beyond almost anything I can remember," said Fry. "I wish I could take credit for ushering the club up from League One to the Premiership during that time on the board. Actually, I'm going to. It was all me. It can't have been a coincidence.

"But now I'm so happy to relinquish my seat on the board to Thomas Smith and to engage as fully as I can in the role of ambassador for Norwich City. We have so much to proud of, both on and off the pitch, and I hope to welcome many new fans to the greatest club of all. On the Ball, City!"

In December, former cabinet minister Ed Balls was appointed the new chairman of Norwich.