Dead or Alive vocalist Pete Burns has passed away at the age of 57, due to a fatal heart attack.
Burns’ manager announced the news on the artists official Twitter account earlier today.
“He was a true visionary, a beautiful talented soul, and he will be missed by all who loved and appreciated everything he was and all of the wonderful memories that he has left is [sic] with,” Burns’ manager wrote.
“We have no more words, we will make a further statement when we have had a chance to come to terms with our devastating loss.”
Hi guys, it’s Kyle here. Was asked to send out this tweet on behalf of Steve, Lynn & Michael. #rippeteburns#sadtimes#icon SO SAD!!! pic.twitter.com/rOkAVHsZQg
— Pete Burns (@PeteBurnsICON) October 24, 2016
Perhaps best known for Dead or Alive’s smash hit You Spin Me Round (Like A Record), the singer was notorious for playing with typical gender conventions and is seen by many as a pioneer of self expression.
The outgoing singer was asked to leave his Catholic High School when he was 14 because his fashion was becoming too outlandish.
In 1979 Burns was in a goth band called Nightmares in Wax, the outfit only released one twelve inch single.
A  year later, with some line-up changes they transformed into Dead or Alive. The band released some indie singles before signing to  a major label in the early ’80s.
The band’s debut album Sophisticated Boom Boom came out in 1984 and featured their take on the K.C. and the Sunshine Band disco tune That’s the Way I Like It.
The band found worldwide success when they teamed up with producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman to record their second album Youthquake. It spawned the massive hit You Spin Me Right Round (Like a Record).
The success of the single made Stock, Aitken and Waterman sought after producers and they went on to make hits for Bananarama, Mel and Kim, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and a swag of other artists.
The band went on to record several albums and had many hits including My Heart Goes Bang, In Too Deep, Something in My House, Lover Come Back to Me, Turn Around and Count 2 Ten, Come Home With Me Baby and Save You All My Kisses.
In the early ’90s Burns also teamed up with an Italian techno outfit called Glam, releasing the track Sex Drive. He also released a cover of David Bowie’s Rebel Rebel collaborating with Dead or Alive band mate Steve Coy under the name International Crysis. Coy would later take on the role of Burns manager.
In 2006 Burns returned to the spotlight when he took part in the UK television show Celebrity Big Brother. Many fans noted that the singer looked remarkably different having undertaken many cosmetic surgery procedures over the years.
In his hey day Pete Burns was often portrayed in the media as being a rival to Culture Club’s Boy George. Today Boy George paid tribute to Burns describing his as one of the world’s “true great eccentrics”.
The singer once commented on his sexuality saying he didn’t fit into any category.
“[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.”
Burns was married to his wife Lynne Corlett from 1980 to 2006, shortly after they divorced he entered into a civil union with his husband Michael Simpson, the couple separated a year later.
The statement released announcing his death came from his former wife, ex-husband and his band mate Steve Coy.
Here’s our playlist of our favourite Dead or Alive and Pete Burns tunes.
