Pete Burns - Dead or Alive's frontman and one of Celebrity Big Brother's most controversial stars of all time - has passed away suddenly.

His manager Steve Coy, ex-wife Lynne Corlett and partner Michael Simpson have shared the sad news on Twitter that 57-year-old music icon Pete died from a "massive cardiac arrest" on Sunday (October 23).

In their Twitter statement, Pete's family said: "All of his family and friends 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 [he] has left [us] with.

"We have no more words. We will make a further statement when we have had a chance to come to terms with our devastating loss. He will live forever in our memories."

Digital Spy has reached out to his spokesperson for more information.

After spending a few years on the fringes of the new wave and goth rock scenes, Burns rocketed to international fame with Dead or Alive's 1985 hit 'You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)', which topped the UK singles chart and reached number 11 in the US.

The ensuing album Youthquake, later hit 'Brand New Lover' and his signature fashion sense established Pete Burns as one of pop's most memorable faces of the late '80s.

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However, Dead or Alive's success waned in the 1990s, leading to both financial hardships and appearances on reality programmes Celebrity Wife Swap and Come Dine with Me by the 2000s.

It would be a controversial stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006 that made Pete a bona-fide superstar all over again.

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Always quick to hurl an insult, Pete was part of a particularly fractious series that saw him, George Galloway and Dennis Rodman in conflict with glamour model Jodie Marsh, comedian Michael Barrymore and the series' eventual winner Chantelle Houghton.

Pete's tenure on Celebrity Big Brother proved so popular that he briefly starred in his own competition series Pete's PA.

His former Celebrity Big Brother co-star George Galloway was among those remembering Pete today, tweeting: "Sad to hear of the demise of Pete Burns. He was a cross between Oscar Wilde and Dorothy Parker. You don't get more brilliant than that. RIP"

Justin Harp Justin Harp is Digital Spy’s US-based Night News Editor covering all things entertainment on West Coast time.

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