The Irish singer-songwriter, whose hits include Fairytale of New York, was unwell for some time.
Image source, Getty ImagesIrish 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 1988’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 posted: “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.”
On 22 November she 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”.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
MacGowan fronted The Pogues from 1982 until their break-up in 2014.
He formed the Irish punk band Pogue Mahone, later shortened to The Pogues, in 1982 and released seven studio albums.
In 1988 Kirsty MacColl collaborated with The Pogues for the Christmas song Fairytale of New York, written by MacGowan, which got to number two in the UK chart.
Image source, Getty Images
In 2018 he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at a 60th birthday party in Dublin’s National Concert Hall.
A documentary about his life – Crock Of Gold: A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan – was released in 2020.
He was close friends with Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor who died in July.