Shane MacGowan died peacefully after a long illness

The heartbreaking news was confirmed by Shane's wife this morning.

The Pogues lead singer died at his Dublin home after a long illness.

In a statement on Instagram, his wife Victoria announced the harrowing news.

She said Shane will always be "the love of my life" and someone who made the world "so very bright".

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, 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."

Victoria said she is "blessed beyond words" to have met the incredible musician.

"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," Victoria concluded.

Rest in peace, Shane MacGowan.