Pop icon Pete Burns has tragically passed away, aged 57.
The Dead or Alive singer’s management confirmed his death via Twitter, revealing he suffered a cardiac arrest.
A statement released by his partner, Michael Simpson, his ex-wife, Lynne Corlett, and his manager and former band member, Steve Coy, read: “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 will be missed by all those who loved and appreciated everything he was and all of the wonderful memories he has left us with.”
He found a whole new generation of fans when he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, as well as other reality shows like Celebrity Wife Swap and The Body Shocking Show.
The British-born star of hit You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) was infamous for his irreverent approach to performance and will be dearly missed.
Click through to take a look at Pete’s incredible life, in pictures…
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In the early days of Dead or Alive, Pete was famed for his big hair and vibrant use of stage make-up.
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Pete and his bandmate in the eighties.
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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.”
Dead or Alive’s hit ‘You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)’
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The star was known for his outrageous costumes, even at the beginning of his career.
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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.”
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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”.
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His untimely passing comes just a few days before the band were due to release their compilation album called Sophisticated Boom Box MMXVI.
Pete Burns speaks about his surgery
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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.
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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.
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