The lead singer of The Pogues has passed away.

Shane MacGowan was an icon in contemporary Irish culture as a singer/songwriter and known most famously for his 1987 hit ‘Fairytale of New York’

According to multiple reports, MacGowan had been receiving treatment for an illness in hospital for months and suffered from inflammation of the brain.

He was recently discharged to spend time with family before his birthday on Christmas Day.

He was 65.