Shane MacGowan death: Latest news with tributes pouring in for Pogues frontman as Fairytale of New York singer passes away aged 65

Who is Shane MacGowan's wife and for how long were they together? Read MailOnline's story for everything you need to know about Victoria Mary Clarke:

Shane MacGowan had revealed he was diagnosed with encephalitis last year in a video posted to social media on New Year's Eve (see below).

Encephalitis is an uncommon but serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed, according to the NHS website.

Irish folk group The Wolfe Tones said Shane MacGowan was a 'lyricist supreme'.

In a post on X, the group said: 'Shane MacGowan RIP, lyricist supreme, unbelievable talent, sincerest condolences to Victoria and Shane's family and friends.'

Following in the wayward footsteps of James Mangan, Brendan Behan and Luke Kelly, Shane MacGowan first inherited and then took ownership of the concept of the raucous Irish poet/singer.

The songwriter, who found fame as the lead singer of London Irish punk/folk band The Pogues, has died aged 65.

Read the full obituary from the PA news agency by clicking below:

Shane MacGowan died surrounded by those who had loved and supported him throughout his life. Read all about his family in this story on MailOnline today:

Nick Cave also paid tribute to Shane MacGowan today, saying: 'A true friend and the greatest songwriter of his generation. A very sad day.'

English musician and singer Peter 'Spider' Stacy has paid tribute to his fellow bandmate Shane MacGowan, sharing an image of him performing on a stage.

Taking to X, Stacy wrote: ''O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done..'

The line was accompanied by a black and white image of MacGowan smiling on stage.

Stacy co-founded The Pogues along with MacGowan, Jem Finer and James Fearnley and appeared on all of their recordings.

Fairytale of New York may be one of the great festive anthems, yet the heartbreaking story behind the song means it will be forever associated not just with Christmas, but also with tragedy.

Singer Kirsty MacColl, who duetted with Shane MacGowan in the festive hit, died aged 41 in 2000 after a horrific boating accident while scuba diving in Mexico with her two sons.

Her death came just seconds after she heroically saved the life of her son Jamie, who was 15. Her other son Louis, 13, also witnessed the tragedy but survived, as did MacColl's musician boyfriend, James Knight.

As her close friend, MacGowan was among those left devastated by her untimely passing, with the rocker later admitting to feeling depressed when singing the tune in later years.

Read the full story from MailOnline's home affairs correspondent Rory Tingle:

Irish premier Leo Varadkar has also expressed his condolences following the death of Shane MacGowan.

'He was an amazing musician and artist,' he said on X. 'His songs beautifully captured the Irish experience, especially the experience of being Irish abroad.'

Ireland's deputy premier Micheal Martin said he was 'devastated' by the death of Shane MacGowan.

In a social media post, Mr Martin said: 'Devastated by the passing of Shane MacGowan. An iconic musician talented in many genres, particularly influenced by his time in Tipperary.

'His passing is particularly poignant at this time of year as we listen to Fairytale Of New York - a song that resonates with all of us.'

Mr Martin added: 'My deepest sympathies to his wife Victoria Mary and all the MacGowan family.'

He was a punk, a poet, an icon of Irish ballads and an extraordinary songwriter.

Shane MacGowan, who has died at the age of 65, was the man who brought us all to tears with his lyrics.

With his band The Pogues and his double act with the tragic Kirsty MacColl on 1987 festive hit Fairytale of New York, MacGowan cemented himself into the hearts of millions.

Read the full obituary on MailOnline this afternoon:

Derry Girls actor Siobhan McSweeney has said that Shane MacGowan 'was the voice of London for us Irish'.

'When I was scared about moving here he lured me over with songs about chancers, drinkers, lovers, poets and scoundrels,' she said on X. 'That's the place for me, I thought!

'He also taught me how to miss home, whatever that may be. Damn shame, Shane.'

Tributes have been pouring in for Shane MacGowan after he died aged 65 today.

Among them was one from radio DJ Annie Mac who said: 'RIP Shane McGowan. One of the finest lyricists of a generation. A man who loved Ireland with all his heart and took the music and culture and mixed it with his London upbringing to bring us The Pogues.’

Read the full story on MailOnline here:

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald has described Shane MacGowan as 'a poet' who was unique in how he told 'the Irish story'.

She said that Ireland 'has lost one of its most beloved icons and the world one of its greatest songwriters'.

'Shane was a poet, a dreamer and a champion of social justice. He was a dedicated Republican and a proud Irishman. Nobody told the Irish story like Shane - stories of emigration, heartache, dislocation, redemption, love and joy.

'Shane brought his musical unique style to all corners of the world, and his music will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. Today we mourn his passing. He was one of the best of us. Ni bheidh a leitheid aris ann.

'I want to extend my deepest condolences to his wife Victoria, his sister Siobhan, his extended family and very wide circle of friends.'

Bookies have slashed their odds on The Pogues' Fairytale of New York becoming Christmas number one after the passing of Shane McGowan earlier today.

Here is the full story on MailOnline this afernoon:

From the 1980s, Shane MacGowan led Irish punk band The Pogues who are best known for their hit festive song Fairytale Of New York which was released in 1987.

He is pictured below in London in October last year:

Shane MacGowan's wife Victoria Mary Clarke shared a black and white photo of him from his younger years smoking and holding a wine glass in a joint post to her Instagram and her husband's.

Alongside the post, she wrote: '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.

'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 MacGowan was born on Christmas Day 1957 in Pembury, Kent, to his mother Therese, who was a Feis Ceoil singer, and father Maurice.

In 2018, The Pogues frontman and journalist Victoria Mary Clarke tied the knot in a small ceremony in Copenhagen in Denmark in front of guests including Johnny Depp.

Shane MacGowan's cause of death has not yet been officially confirmed.

However, it is known that he had been discharged from St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin last week where he had been receiving care for an infection.

The singer was diagnosed with viral encephalitis – a life-threatening condition which leads to brain swelling - and had been in and out of hospital for months.

Irish President Michael D Higgins said there was 'particular poignancy' that the death of Shane MacGowan had followed closely after that of Sinead O'Connor.

He said: 'Born on Christmas Day, there was perhaps some form of destiny which led Shane to writing Fairytale Of New York, the timeless quality of which will surely mean that it will be listened to every Christmas for the next century or more.

'Likewise songs like Rainy Night In Soho, A Pair Of Brown Eyes, If I Should Fall From Grace With God and so many others will live on far into the years and decades to come.

'I think too of Haunted, and the particular poignancy that both Shane and Sinead O'Connor have left us in such quick succession.'

Mr Higgins added that it was a 'great honour' for him to present the singer with a lifetime achievement award at the National Concert Hall in January 2018 to mark MacGowan's 60th birthday.

A statement was shared on behalf of Shane MacGowan’s wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, his sister Siobhan and father, Maurice, on The Pogues' social media accounts.

It 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 and 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.'

Read the full story on MailOnline here after the Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan died aged 65 early this morning.

The legendary Irish rocker, who was behind the iconic Christmas song Fairytale of New York, died 'peacefully' today with his wife Victoria Mary Clarke and family by his side.

Good afternoon and welcome to MailOnline’s liveblog as we bring you the sad news that the Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan has died aged 65.

The Irish singer died at 3am this morning after being discharged from St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin last week where he had been receiving care for an infection.

Stay with us throughout the rest of today for live updates.