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Soul singer Aretha Franklin has died at her home in Detroit, her publicist has said.

The news comes just a day after special vigil for the singer began at New Bethel Baptist Church in her home town.

She had been suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, her representative Gwendolyn Quinn said.

A family statement confirmed: "In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family."

Franklin began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church where her father was a minister and began her recording career at the age of 18 when she signed with Columbia Records.

Her spectacular array of hits began in earnest when she signed with Atlantic Records in 1967, featuring classics such as "Respect", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", "Spanish Harlem", "Who's Zoomin' Who" and "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (with George Michael).

(Image: RB/Redferns)

She won total of 18 Grammy Awards and was one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, having sold over 75 million records worldwide.

Her version of You'll Never Walk Alone has long been adored by many on Merseyside and, memorably, was used by John Peel to begin his first radio show after the Hillsborough disaster.

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Tributes immediately began flooding in from around the world of music.

Singer John Legend wrote: ''Salute to the Queen. The greatest vocalist I've ever known. #Aretha' while Liam Gallagher tweeted: ''RIP Aretha Franklin what a voice x''.

Sir Elton John posting on Instagram: "The loss of Aretha Franklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the Church. Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated - she was one of my favourite pianists. I was fortunate enough to spend time with her and witness her last performance - a benefit for the Elton John Aids Foundation at St John The Divine Cathedral.

"She was obviously unwell, and I wasn't sure she could perform. But Aretha did and she raised the roof. She sang and played magnificently, and we all wept. We were witnessing the greatest soul artist of all time. I adored her and worshipped her talent. God bless her.

"My condolences to all her family and friends. We shared the same birthday - and that meant so much to me. The whole world will miss her but will always rejoice in her remarkable legacy. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen. @arethasings #RIP #ArethaFranklin #QueenOfSoul @ejaf."

Singer Barbra Streisand shared a picture of herself with Franklin taken six years ago as she paid tribute to the Queen of Soul.

Streisand wrote on Instagram: "This photo was taken in 2012 when Aretha and I performed at a tribute celebration for our friend Marvin Hamlisch.

"It's difficult to conceive of a world without her. Not only was she a uniquely brilliant singer, but her commitment to civil rights made an indelible impact on the world."