Shane MacGowan dead: The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York icon dies aged 65 after eight-year health battle
THE Pogues star Shane MacGowan has died at the age of 65 after an eight-year health battle.
The Fairytale of New York singer, who had been diagnosed with viral encephalitis – a serious condition which leads to brain swelling – passed away at 3am this morning.
Hellraiser Shane was confined to a wheelchair in recent years due to health issues.
The star had always been open about his battle with drug addiction and alcohol abuse, which led him to lose all his teeth by 2008.
In recent years, Shane had been aided by his wife and a carer at their home in Dublin, where he needed help to get out of bed.
Shane’s wife Victoria today shared a heartbreaking statement announcing his death.
She shared a throwback black and white snap of her beloved husband of five years and shared her shock at the loss of “the love of my life” and “beautiful angel”.
Victoria paid a touching tribute to Shane, who was “the start and end of everything that I hold dear”.
She said: “I don’t know how to say this so I am just going to say it.
“Shane who 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 has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese.
“I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him and to have had so many years of life and love and joy and fun and laughter and so many adventures.”
Victoria thanked Shane for the time they spent together and the “joy” he brought to the rest of world.
Shane wed his long term love Victoria at an intimate ceremony in Denmark in 2018, after he finally proposed following 32 years of dating.
The pair celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary after Shane was released from hospital last week.
Victoria added: “There’s no way to describe the loss that I am feeling and the longing for just one more of his smiles that lit up my world.
“Thank you thank you thank you thank you for your presence in this world you made it so very bright and you gave so much joy to so many people with your heart and soul and your music.
“You will live in my heart forever.
“Rave on in the garden all wet with rain that you loved so much.
“You meant the world to me.”
Shane is survived by his wife Victoria, his sister Siobhan and father Maurice.
Sharing a statement online, the family told of their deep sorrow and heartbreak at the loss of the beloved singer.
They said: “It is with the deepest sorrow and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Shane MacGowan.
“Shane died peacefully at 3am this morning (30 November 2023) with his wife Victoria and family by his side.
“Prayers and the last rites were read which gave comfort to his family.
“He is survived by his wife Victoria, his sister Siobhan, his father, Maurice, family and a large circle of friends.
“Further details will be announced shortly but the family ask for privacy at this very sad time”.
Fans have shared their devastation, paying tribute to “a true legend”.
More to follow.