Shane MacGowan has sadly passed away at the age of 65

The singer sadly died at the age of 65 after a long illness.

His wife confirmed the devastating news this morning by sharing a heartbreaking tribute to her late husband.

Victoria wrote, "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.

"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."

Following the heartbreaking news, people on social media have been calling for the star’s biggest song to hit number one in tribute to his passing.

“RIP Shane McGowan – Fairytale of New York Christmas No 1….?……and rightly so,” one person wrote online.

A second penned: “Gosh. Now Shane MacGowan has passed away. Such incredibly sad news. Wouldn’t it be lovely if Fairytale of New York became Christmas number one this year?”

“One of the greatest lyricists of his time. As a mark or respect let’s get Fairytale Of New York to Number one in the charts,” a third wrote.

A fourth shared: “Got to get Fairytale of New York to number one this year. Sad news regarding Shane MacGowan.”

“Gutted, only fitting that Fairytale of New York is Christmas number one,” a fifth said.

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