Folk music legend Vin Garbutt has died.

Just weeks after the “Teessside Troubadour” underwent major heart surgery, his family today announced he had passed away.

A post on Facebook read: “It’s with great sadness and extremely heavy hearts that we must inform you that our beloved Vin passed away this morning.

“He loved the life he shared with you all, and we know how much he’ll be missed.

“Although we won’t be able to see him again, we’re grateful that we will be able to listen to him for the rest of our lives.

“All the very best, Pat, Emma, Tim, Katie & Louis”.

A legend in folk music circles, his wit, warmth and love shone through as he entertained audiences worldwide.

In April, he had an operation at James Cook University Hospital to remove his mitral valve and a mechanical replacement inserted.

But even when he announced he would be having the op, he was still joking, saying: “I could have had a pig’s valve but that would have left the donor disgruntled so I rejected it.”