The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan dies, aged 65
30 November 2023, 12:16
Crock of Gold - A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan documentary trailer
Shane MacGowan had been in and out of hospital over the last 12 months.
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Shane MacGowan, former frontman of The Pogues, has died at the age of 65.
The news was broken by his wife of five years, Victoria Mary Clarke, on social media today (November 30).
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"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 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," Victoria said.
"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."
She continued: "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."
MacGowan had been in and out of hospital over the last 12 months after being diagnosed with viral encephalitis – an inflammation of the brain – last December.
Since his hospitalisation, Victoria has kept fans informed on Shane's condition with a series of posts and photographs over the past year.
Only days ago she shared a photo from their wedding day to mark their fifth anniversary as a married couple.
They had married in Copenhagen after a relationship lasting decades and 11-year engagement, and lived together in Dublin.
