Roger Charlery, known as Ranking Roger, vocalist for the Beat and General Public has died aged 56.



The news came via a statement on the Beat’s website that he had died on Tuesday at home surrounded by his family.



The statement reads: ‘He fought & fought & fought, Roger was a fighter. Sadly Roger passed away a few hours ago peacefully at his home surrounded by family.



‘Roger’s family would like to thank everyone for their constant support during this tough time. More to follow in the coming days. RIP ROGER!’



The Birmingham-born singer had suffered a stroke last summer and it was reported earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with two brain tumours and lung cancer.



As a punk fan in the seventies, Roger became the drummer for the Dum Dum Boys in his teenage years before joining two-tone ska revivalists the Beat in 1978.



The band found success in the UK and across the Atlantic in the US and Canada – where they were known as the English Beat – with singles like Mirror in the Bathroom.



The Beat released three albums, beginning with their debut I Just Can’t Stop It in 1980, through 1981’s Wha’ppen, to Special Beat Service in 1982.



In 1983 the band broke up and he and ex-Beat member Dave Wakeling formed General Public with members of Dexys Midnight Runners and the Specials.



They released two albums before splitting up in 1986 following which Roger went solo with the 1988 album Radical Departure.



In the nineties General Public were resurrected for Rub it Better, and in 2005 the Beat re-formed and performed at Glastonbury Festival.



Following a co-headline tour with fellow two-tone band The Selecter in 2017, the Beat began work on a new record and Roger wrote his autobiography.



Figures from across the music industry have paid tribute to the late singer, with Billy Bragg posting on Twitter: ‘Very sorry to hear that Ranking Roger has passed away. Rest easy, Rude Boy.’



Pauline Black, vocalist with The Selecter, said: ‘RIP Roger Charlery aka Ranking Roger. 'Goodnight sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.’



The Specials posted: ‘Goodnight to a legend. R.I.P. Ranking Roger. The Specials HQ. x’



UB40 tweeted: ‘R.I.P Ranking Roger, Big Love.’



