Merseyside-born Dead or Alive band frontman Pete Burns has died of a heart attack, aged 57.
The singer passed away on Sunday according to a statement released by his management.
A message posted on Twitter read: “It is with the greatest sadness that we have to break the tragic news that out beloved Pete Burns of (Dead or Alive), died suddenly yesterday of a massive cardiac arrest.
“All of his family and friends are devastated by the loss of our special star. He was a true visionary, a beautiful talented soul, and he will be missed by all who loved and appreciated everything he was and all of the wonderful memories he has left us with.”
The Wirral-born star rose to fame in the 80s with the single ‘You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)’ before gaining notoriety on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006.
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But it was in Liverpool in which the Bebington singer first found the spotlight. Aged 14, Burns dropped out of school and started working in Probe Records in the city centre, courting the attention of the public with his androgynous sense of style.
In later years, Burns also became known for his extensive plastic surgery, regularly making appearances on reality TV shows such as ‘The Body Shocking Show’ and ‘Botched up Bodies’.
He once said: “The number of surgeries I’ve had is probably 300. I hope when I’m 80 and I get to heaven God doesn’t recognise me.”
A number of celebrities left tributes to the star on Twitter, with Boy George tweeting: “Tearful about the passing of Pete Burns, he was one of our great true eccentrics and such a big part of my life! Wow. Hard to believe!”
TV presenter Davina McCall said: “So so sad to hear about Pete Burns. We partied hard in the 90s. RIP Pete.”
The entertainer’s death comes just five days before the release of his latest compilation album, which he was due to promote in a television appearance on Monday.