Pete Burns: A look back at his life in pictures

In the early days of Dead or Alive, Pete was famed for his big hair and vibrant use of stage make-up.

Pete and his bandmate in the eighties.

Pete is pictured here with his ex-wife, Lynne. The pair were married for 28 years, and she started as his stylist before romance blossomed. Speaking in 2006, Lynne said: “We’ve been separated for a year. It was time to move on and we’re still best friends. We hadn’t drifted apart – we’re still as close as we ever were. We just needed a change. It was a time when mutually we had to grow in different directions.”

The star was known for his outrageous costumes, even at the beginning of his career.

His adrogynous style inspired many fans. He reportedly began cross-dressing as a six year-old, and once said, “The trouble is that people are all too ready to jump to conclusions about anybody who they think looks a bit strange.”

After nearly 30 years of marriage to wife Lynne Corlett, the pair divorced in 2006. He went on to marry Michael Simpson in 2007. On the topic of his sexuality, Burns stated that, “[People] always want to know – am I gay, bi, trans or what? I say, forget all that. There’s got to be a completely different terminology and I’m not aware if it’s been invented yet. I’m just Pete”.

His untimely passing comes just a few days before the band were due to release their compilation album called Sophisticated Boom Box MMXVI.

Celebrities such as Boy George (whom Pete once accused of trying to steal his style) and Marc Almond have taken to social media to pay tribute to the star. “‘Tearful about the passing of @PeteBurnsICON he was one of our great true eccentrics and such a big part of my life! Wow. Hard to believe!” Boy George penned.

Music was always a big part of Pete’s life. His most recent single, Never Marry an Icon, was released in 2010.

“People redecorate their homes every few years and I see this as no different. Changing my face is like buying a new sofa,” he once mused of his changing face.