Jet Harris, the original bass player with The Shadows, has died of cancer aged 71.

The guitarist, who played on number one hits including Apache, died at his partner's home in Winchester, his agent Peter Stockton said.

Sir Cliff Richard paid tribute to his former bandmate, saying: "Jet was exactly what The Shadows and I needed - a backbone holding our sound together."

Earlier this month, Harris cancelled all his appearances due to ill health.

"Jet, the bass player, will always be an integral part of British rock 'n' roll history," Sir Cliff added. "Losing him is sad - but the great memories will stay with me. Rock on, Jet."

Mr Stockton said: "He was a man who was so courageous and determined and kept saying 'I will beat this'.

"The last time he went on stage he said he didn't want to let people down and I could see he was struggling a bit, but he got a standing ovation. Regrettably it was the last concert he did on 5 February."

Born Terence Harris in London, the guitarist got his biggest break in 1958 when he was on tour with the Most Brothers.

On the same bill as Cliff Richard and the Drifters, he later joined the group permanently and made his recording debut on Sir Cliff's third single Livin' Lovin' Doll.В В