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English singer-songwriter Peter Skellern dies aged 69 after cancer battle

Passed away: English singer-songwriter Peter Skellern has died aged 69: Rex
Passed away: English singer-songwriter Peter Skellern has died aged 69: Rex

Singer-songwriter Peter Skellern has died at the age of 69.

The English star, who had a string of hits in the 1970s, had been battling brain cancer, his family has confirmed.

“Peter's creativity in art, comedy and music stand as his legacy to love and laughter,” they said in a statement.

“The love he brought to us will continue to be shared with everyone through his music. We will miss him with all our hearts.”

Skellern, who was ordained as a priest of the Church of England in October, revealed that he had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour last year.

“For about a week I hung in this abyss and I just grabbed God. I was given a year to live and everything fell, apart from my belief in God,” he said.

“Then God closed the ground beneath me and I became resigned and happy and I have been like that ever since.”

Peter Skellern pictured in 1982 (PA)
Peter Skellern pictured in 1982 (PA)

Skellern’s best known song was 1972’s You’re A Lady, which reached number 3 on the UK Singles Charts and number 50 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

Three years later he released single Hold On to Love, which peaked at number 14 and later a cover of Love is the Sweetest Thing.

He released a number of albums over the years, including Holding My Own, Hard Times and Cheek to Cheek.

Skellern is survived by his wife Diana and his two children.