JUST days before his death, confined to a hospital bed and awaiting surgery, Aussie rocker Jon English sent a message to fans he was “itching” to get back to “rocking out on stage”.

The much loved performer had to cancel shows when he unexpectedly fell ill just two weeks ago.

On his official Facebook page, he sent regretful apologies to fans for having to delay a performance this coming Sunday, in what would be his final tour.

A photo of the weary performer in a hospital bed was accompanied by a hopeful message that he was “expected to make a full recovery over the coming weeks”.

English died overnight from complications with surgery.

The 66-year-old was surrounded by family, including his four children Jessamin, Josephine, Jonnie and Julian, and his wife Carmen.

English had put his performances on hold in recent weeks when he was hospitalised in Newcastle suffering broken ribs, his former manager Peter Rix confirmed.

During surgery, doctors discovered an issue with the performer’s aortic valve, with the exact cause of death reported as an aortic aneurysm.

English shot to fame in the early 1970s in his role as Judas in the Australian version of stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

He picked up a Logie Award for best new talent in 1979 for his starring role in Australian TV series Against the Wind, and went on to become well known for his roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

English also won four ARIA awards throughout his career — for his album Turn the Page, his musical Paris and a production of the Pirates of Penzance in which he starred.

In the 1990s, he led the cast of Australian sitcom All Together Now alongside Rebecca Gibney and now Today show weatherman Stevie Jacobs.

English played ageing ‘70s rock star Bobby Rivers who discovered parenthood late in life in the series than ran for more than 100 episodes.

Jacobs paid tribute to the man he spent “four of the best years of my life” with on the show.

“He was such a talented performer and such a gentleman,” he said on Today. “He lived his life like a rock star — he was larger than life.”

Co-star Rebecca Gibney shared her reaction to the news on social media, saying All Together Now was one of the joys of her career.

“He was not only a wonderful actor, an extraordinary musician but he was a genuinely kind and lovely man. My sincerest condolences to Carmen and his family. RIP Jon. Gone way too soon,” she said.

Just heard the news about Jon English. So incredibly sad. All Together Now was one of the joys of my career. My love to his family. — Rebecca Gibney (@rebeccagibney_) March 9, 2016

RIP Jon English. A great actor and true rock legend. An all round performer and gentleman. You will be missed mate. — Stevie Jacobs (@sjweather9) March 9, 2016

Tim O’Connor, the CEO and Artistic Director of the Harvest Theatre Company, said the entire company was “shocked and saddened” by his passing. English played King Arthur in their recent production of Spamalot - which turned out to be his final stage performance.

“He was a kind, funny and generous man, an extraordinary talent, a true legend in every sense of the word. I spoke to Marina Prior this morning and she said the thing about Jon is that he was the same with everyone - whether you were his co-star or the cleaner. She’s so right,” O’Connor told news.com.au.

“He never forgot where he came from, and was genuine with everybody. I’m so glad to have met him - he was my hero in my childhood watching him as the Pirate King, and in my adult life he became my friend. Often meeting your hero is a disappointment, but this was one of those rare times when meeting my hero was even better than I could have imagined. He will be greatly missed.

“I only wish Jon was here to read it all and see the outpouring of love for him today. He would have been honoured and humbled.”

Nine entertainment editor Richard Wilkins said he was saddened by this morning’s news.

“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Jon many, many times, and I was a huge fan of his,” he told news.com.au. “Such a varied career — from playing in a band, leading Sebastian Hardie, then going on to steal the show playing Judas in the ‘70s production of Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Along with praising English’s glowing career, Wilkins said he was “a good fella”.

“He was a big, tall guy and when he walked on stage, he owned it. He was a star — larger than life, with a big colourful personality,” he said. “He kept himself pretty private away from the spotlight, but he was a lovely fella. It’s a sad day — we’re celebrating the life and career of George Martin, then this comes along and it certainly puts a black cloud over everything.”

Australian musical theatre star Marina Prior, who began her career in 32 years ago alongside English in Simon Gallagher’s production of The Pirates of Penzance, paid tribute to English and thanked him via Facebook.

“What a wonderful introduction to the theatre and show business and to be taken under such ‘wings’,” she wrote. “Jon was such a brilliant comedian, a charismatic force on stage... He never forgot where he came from, and was the same man with everyone from fellow stars to the cleaners.

“We have lost an Australian icon.”

English was performing up until he fell ill only two weeks ago.

He had a long history of depression and alcohol abuse, which he discussed in what is believed to be his final interview on Studio 10, to promote his tour The Rock Show.

“I struggled my way to the middle,” he said.

“Drinking is such part of the culture, particularly a few years ago. It used to be a bit of a joke and then you realise ‘Oh god … I have not had a dry day for a year’, and then you realise you might have a problem. But I think depression comes first. It seems to come hand in hand with the character we are.”

Jon English Battling His Demons Our very own Craig Bennett chats to Aussie rock legend Jon English about an incredible career filled with stage, screen and rock and roll as well as some dark days clouded by depression. Courtesy: Network TEN.

Shortly before he was due to take the stage just two weeks ago, English’s fans were advised on Facebook he had fallen ill and was hospitalised, waiting to undergo “a small operation”.

His deterioration was documented on his Facebook page, where regretful messages were posted apologising to fans he had to pull out of various performances.

“He apologies to all his fans who were looking forward to the day, but assures everyone he will be back to full health and rocking out on stage with you all again very soon (he is in fact itching to do so!),” a message posted just three days ago read.

A post on the musician’s official page confirmed the death this morning.

Details of a public service celebrating English’s life are due to be released shortly.