The Pogues star Shane MacGowan has died aged 65
Shane Macgowan - best known as the frontman for The Pogues - has died today, aged 65.
The Irish singer - best known for his festive hit 'Fairytale of New York' - has battled several health issues in recent years.
Last December, MacGowan was hospitalised after being diagnosed with viral encephalitis.
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As a result, the 1980s hitmaker spent several gruelling months of 2023 in intensive care.
His wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, confirmed news of his passing today on Instagram.
Sharing a photo of her beloved husband, she wrote: "I don’t know how to say this so I am just going to say it.
"Shane who will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel and the sun and the moon and the start and end of everything that I hold dear has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese.
"I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him and to have had so many years of life and love and joy and fun and laughter and so many adventures."
Clarke went on: "There’s no way to describe the loss that I am feeling and the longing for just one more of his smiles that lit up my world.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you for your presence in this world you made it so very bright and you gave so much joy to so many people with your heart and soul and your music.
"You will live in my heart forever. Rave on in the garden all wet with rain that you loved so much. You meant the world to me."
MacGowan has been receiving critical treatment at Dublin's St Vincent's Hospital for several months following his major health scare last Christmas.
On November 22 this year, he was discharged and returned home to spend time with his friends and family.
MacGowan launched his music career back in the 70s London punk scene - during which he was known as 'Shane O’Hooligan’ - when he formed the band The Nipple Erectors, also known as the Nips.
He, Jem Finer and Spider Stacey formed the band that was to become The Pogues in the years that followed.
After several chart-topping albums, MacGowen became part of a bet that he could never write a Christmas song.
Inspired, he wrote the band's biggest hit 'Fairytale of New York', which he performed with the late Kirsty MacColl.
Rhianna Benson