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The singer died suddenly yesterday after "a massive cardiac arrest", it has emerged.

In a statement shared on Twitter, the Dead or Alive founder's manager Steve Coy said: "It is with greatest sadness that we have to break the tragic news that our beloved Pete Burns died suddenly yesterday.

"All of his friends and family 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 is with (sic)."

(Image: GETTY) (Image: CHANNEL5/PLANET PHOTOS)

Celebrities have paid tribute to Pete Burns.

Preston, the Ordinary Boys frontman who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother alongside the singer in 2006, tweeted: "Heartbroken to hear about Pete Burns. He was a true punk rocker and one of the kindest hearts I've ever know. Gutted."

Television presenter Jamie East said: "So desperately sad to hear about Pete Burns. A true pop icon and a really, really fun fella to work and hang out with. Sleep well buddy."

DJ Matthew Rudd said: "Pete Burns' death is tragic. A showman. Angry, engaging, opinionated, fiery singer, great stage presence, clearly vulnerable. RIP fella."

Drag Queen Jodie Harsh wrote: “No words. So heartbreaking to hear about Pete Burns passing away. Keep being an icon in the sky, Pete.”

(Image: GETTY)

Wayne Hussey, a former guitarist with Dead Or Alive, 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.

"Today is indeed a very sad day for me. Pete will always live large, and very fondly, in my memory. RIP, dear friend."

Marc Almond, the Soft Cell musician, tweeted: "We've had some mad times with Pete but he was a one off creation, a fabulous, fantastic, brilliant creature and always sweet to me."

Rowetta, the Happy Mondays co-singer, said: "Loved Pete Burns. Brilliant, witty mind and what a stunning young man he was."

(Image: DOUG PETERS / EMPICS ENTERTAINMENT)

The TV personality, originally from Bebington, Wirral, was on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006.

It emerged today "doctors had to drain a pint of pus" months before the singer's death.

Appearing on Channel 5's Celebrity Botched Up Bodies, the reality TV star said he first got plastic surgery 20 years ago.

Burns was a vocalist and songwriter in Dead or Alive and rose to mainstream success with their 1985 single You Spin Me Round.

He later finished in fifth place in Celebrity Big Brother and has since appeared on other reality TV shows.

He was on a celebrity edition of Come Dine With Me in 2011 on Channel 4.

But the star was declared bankrupt in April 2015 after spending thousands of pounds on plastic surgery.

In 1978, the singer married hairdresser Lynne Corlett, with whom he remained wed until 2006.

But in February 2006, he announced his engagement to his partner Michael Simpson and the couple's civil partnership happened in July that year.

Just 10 months later, the couple ended their relationship.

(Image: NC)

Since David Bowie died in January, 2016 has been cursed with a number of high-profile celebrity deaths.

Harry Potter star Alan Rickman, stand-up comedian Ronnie Corbett, beloved entertainer Victoria Wood, legendary musician Prince and other huge celebs have died since then.