Topic: Shane MacGowan: Pogues singer dies aged 65

[Simon]

Singer-songwriter and The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan has died aged 65, following ill-health and a recent hospital stay after being diagnosed with encephalitis.

The musician, whose hits include 1987's Fairytale of New York and A Pair of Brown Eyes, had been unwell for some time.

MacGowan also had well-documented problems with drugs and alcohol.

His wife Victoria Mary Clarke said MacGowan "meant the world to me".

Posting on Instagram, she wrote: "I don't know how to say this so I am just going to say it. Shane... has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese."

She said MacGowan "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".

A statement from MacGowan's spokesperson confirmed he "died peacefully at 3.30am this morning (30 November) with his wife and and sister by his side".

"Prayers and the last rites were read during his passing," he added.

On 22 November, Clarke said he had left hospital, and just a few days later she said they celebrated their wedding anniversary, and were grateful they were "still alive".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67546785

[Clive]

I wasn't into punk but  Fairytale of New York was a great song.   

[Simon]

Well, we know what will be the Christmas No 1 now.  His timing was impeccable!

[Clive]

Apparently he's gone up 20 places in this week's charts and is expected to be No.1 next week.

[Den]

It's the Christmas song that I hate the most.