Pete Burns, who had his biggest hit with his band Dead or Alive in 1985 with You Spin Me Round, passed away on Sunday after suffering a cardiac arrest, his management said on social media.
A statement said: "It is with the greatest sadness that we have to break the tragic news that our beloved Pete Burns of (Dead Or Alive), died suddenly yesterday of a massive cardiac arrest.
"All of his family and friends are devastated by the loss of our special star.
"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 the has left us with.
"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.
"He will live forever in our memories."
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
Burns, from Wirral, Merseyside, founded Dead or Alive in 1980 but went on to feature in several reality television shows in later life.
He was last seen on TV screens on Celebrity Botched Up Bodies last month. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006.
Earlier this year Burns admitted he has endured more 300 procedures to fix botched surgery on his face, which left him depressed and fighting for his life.
Wayne Hussey, a former guitarist with Dead Or Alive, currently on tour as singer with The Mission, wrote on Facebook: "I'm sat in a dressing room in Bratislava and just received the devastating news that my ol' mucker Pete Burns (of Dead Or Alive) has sadly passed away. I can't believe it.
"Pete was and will remain quite possibly the most naturally talented person I have ever worked with. Always larger than life, which sometimes tended to obscure that fact, with the quickest and most wicked tongue, he was always huge fun to be around. I loved Pete and learnt so much from him.
So so sad to hear about Pete Burns ... we partied hard in the 90s ... RIP Pete x
— Davina McCall (@ThisisDavina) October 24, 2016
"Today is indeed a very sad day for me. Pete will always live large, and very fondly, in my memory. RIP, dear friend."
Davina McCall, who hosted the 2006 Celebrity Big Brother series, which Burns appeared in, was among those who tweeted their condolences.
She said: "So, so sad to hear about Pete Burns... we partied hard in the 90s... RIP Pete x."
Former Ultravox singer Midge Ure said: "We were with the same management back in the day. RIP."
Boy George said: "Tearful about the passing of @PeteBurnsICON he was one of our great true eccentrics and such a big part of my life! Wow. Hard to believe!"
Eighties pop star Marilyn said he was shocked as he saw the singer recently.
"Absolute shock at the news of Pete Burns death...only just saw him...my sincerest wishes to his family, friends, and fans," he wrote on Twitter.
