Music
Jazz singer and author George Melly has died from lung cancer, aged 80.
The eccentric, famous for his wit and honesty as well as music, had refused treatment for the disease and also suffered from dementia.
His wife Diana said he had died on Thursday. Her statement said: "For 60 years he has been an acclaimed, popular and much-loved performer."
Melly wrote three much praised autobiographies containing frank tales of his life, bisexuality and drinking.
He had also worked as a television critic and lecturer including on surrealism. He once joked of his medical problems: "As a surrealist, I quite enjoy having dementia."
Last month he gave his last appearance, in aid of a dementia charity, at the 100 Club in London.
Van Morrison paid tribute to him as a "dear friend, a uniquely gifted character and a true original".
The eccentric, famous for his wit and honesty as well as music, had refused treatment for the disease and also suffered from dementia.
His wife Diana said he had died on Thursday. Her statement said: "For 60 years he has been an acclaimed, popular and much-loved performer."
Melly wrote three much praised autobiographies containing frank tales of his life, bisexuality and drinking.
He had also worked as a television critic and lecturer including on surrealism. He once joked of his medical problems: "As a surrealist, I quite enjoy having dementia."
Last month he gave his last appearance, in aid of a dementia charity, at the 100 Club in London.
Van Morrison paid tribute to him as a "dear friend, a uniquely gifted character and a true original".
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