SHANE MACGOWAN HAS died aged 65.
The hugely influential musician, songwriter and singer was best known as the lead singer and songwriter of THE POGUES.
Writing on Instagram his wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, said Shane “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.
Her post concluded: “You will live in my heart forever. Rave on in the garden all wet with rain that you loved so much.
THE POGUES issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, confirming their former singer died at 3am this morning with his wife and family by his side.
“Prayers and the last rites were read which gave comfort to his family,” the statement added.
“He is survived by his wife Victoria, his sister Siobhan and his father, Maurice, family and a large circle of friends.