The Prodigy's Keith Flint on the rostrum at the Isle of Man TT with Supersport race winner Gary Johnson in 2014.

The 49-year-old – who sang lead vocals on huge dance hits Breathe and Firestarter – was found dead at his home in Dunmow, Essex. The cause of his death is unknown but police are not treating the matter as suspicious.

Renowned for his colourful look and high energy performances, Mr Flint was an ardent motorcycle racing fan who ran his own Team Traction Control racing outfit with great success in the British championship and also at the international road races, including the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix.

Belfast’s Andy Reid joined the team in 2015 to compete in the British Supersport Championship, while Yorkshireman Ian Hutchinson signed up for the major road races the same year.

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Keith Flint celebrates Ian Hutchinson's victory in the opening Supersport TT in 2016.

'Bingley Bullet' Hutchinson won both Supersport races on the TTC Yamaha at the TT in 2015 and repeated the feat for Flint’s team again in 2016, chalking up four Supersport TT victories on the trot. ‘Hutchy’ also claimed a win at the Ulster Grand Prix for the team in the second Supersport race in 2016.

Tributes poured in via social media on Monday.

In a heartfelt Instagram tribute, Hutchinson said: ‘As a 15 year old boy I talked to my barber about a crazy fire starter guy on tv, 20 years later I rode a bike for him and more importantly became a friend of his, he was loved by so many this is a sad sad day!!’

The Isle of Man TT’s official Twitter account stated: ‘We are shocked and saddened by the loss of Keith Flint. He was a great character in the paddock, who was hugely passionate about the TT and all things motorcycling. He will be missed'.

Keith Flint in conversation with John McGuinness prior to the start of the Superbike TT in 2014.

Carrick’s Glenn Irwin also expressed his condolences on Twitter, saying: ‘Gutted to hear the news of Keith Flint. A proper down to earth guy’.

Jordanstown rider Andy Reid said: ‘To be quite honest I post this with a heavy heart. THE CHIEF!! Or Flinty as many of you would have known him by. God rest your beautiful soul! I’m proud to say we shared many amazing times together. Thank you! You’re in a better place now my friend! RIP’.

Four-time World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty wrote: ‘Sad to hear Keith Flint died this morning. Met him a few times he was a great guy and loved his bike racing’.

A tweet from the Bennetts British Superbike Championship posted a series of pictures of Flint with the words, ‘thanks for the memories Keith Flint’.

Keith Flint with Arlene Foster at the launch of the North West 200 in the Titanic Building, Belfast in 2014.

The McAMS Yamaha team said on Twitter: ‘Gutted at the news about Keith Flint, who played a huge part in our team in the TTC days. Thanks for everything fella’.