Buzzcocks frontman Pete Shelley has died following a suspected heart attack, his brother has confirmed.

The 63-year-old, born in Leigh, passed away at his home in Estonia on Thursday morning.

Gary McNeish posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook.

It read: "This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, is tell you my brother Pete Shelley had a heart attack this morning and passed away."

Charlatans star Tim Burgess paid his respects to the singer in a tweet.

It read: "Farewell, Pete Shelley. The first album I ever owned was Love Bites By Buzzcocks. This is my favourite song by them."

Shelley formed Buzzcocks with Howard Devoto in 1975 after the two met at the Bolton Institute of Technology and travelled to London together to see the Sex Pistols.

The punk outfit was best known for its hit single Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've).

(Image: Redferns)

The rocker was born in Leigh in 1955.

Shelley also began working on solo material in 1974, but it remained unheard until 1980 when it was released on his own label, Groovy Records.

Buzzcocks paid tribute after his death.

They wrote on Twitter: "It's with great sadness that we confirm the death of Pete Shelley, one of the UK's most influential and prolific songwriters and co-founder of the seminal original punk band Buzzcocks.

"Pete's music has inspired generations of musicians over a career that spanned five decades and with his band and as a solo artist, he was held in the highest regard by the music industry and by his fans around the world."

Buzzcocks were together until 1981, and later reformed in 1989.

(Image: Getty Images)

Shelley also composed the theme music for the intro to the Tour de France on Channel 4. His music was used from the late 1980s to the mid 1990s.

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