Shane MacGowan dies aged 65: The Pogues star passes away after eight-year health battle – just days after his wife shared wedding day photo to celebrate five years of marriage

The Pogues’ frontman Shane MacGowan has died aged 65. 

The legendary Irish rocker, who was behind the iconic Christmas song Fairytale of New York, passed away today after an eight-year battle with a brain condition, his wife announced in an Instagram post. 

In her heartbreaking post, she shared a throwback black and white snap of her beloved husband and described him as ‘the love of my life’ who was ‘the start and end of everything that I hold dear’.

She said: ‘I don’t know how to say this so I am just going to say it.

‘Shane who will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel and the sun and the moon and the start and end of everything that I hold dear has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese.

‘I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him and to have had so many years of life and love and joy and fun and laughter and so many adventures.’

News of MacGowan’s death just three days after Victoria shared a touching photo of the singer beaming in his hospital bed alongside the news he has left St Vincent’s Hospital.

The 65-year-old singer was diagnosed with viral encephalitis – a life-threatening condition which leads to brain swelling – and has been in and out of hospital for months. 

The Pogues star Shane MacGowan has died, aged 65, after losing an eight-year health battle. News of his death was announced in a post on Instagram by his wife today (pictured)

Going home: Shane MacGowan (centre) returned home after being released from hospital amid a battle with a brain condition, with his wife Victoria sharing a photo of him in his hospital bed 

Couple: His wife Victoria Mary Clarke posts regular updates about her husband’s wellbeing on social media 

Illness: Shane, pictured with Victoria, has been hospitalised a number of times since the diagnosis and was believed to have been admitted again in June

Victoria told fans on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Shane got out of the hospital!’ 

Victoria told fans on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Shane got out of the hospital!

‘We are deeply and eternally grateful to all of the doctors and nurses and staff at St Vincent’s it’s the best!

‘And special thanks to Tom Creagh and Brian Corscadden for your help.’ 

Shane has been hospitalised a number of times since the diagnosis and was believed to have been admitted again in June. 

The family had hopes that Shane would be able to return home for the festive season. 

This week the star was overjoyed to receive a visit from singer Imelda May. 

Victoria shared an image of the two reuniting and thanked Imelda for the visit, saying: ‘Shane is so happy to see Imelda!!’

Shane received a whole host of A-list visitors while he has been hospital, including country singer Daniel O’Donnell and Primal Scream legend Bobby Gillsepie.

Love: The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan was ‘so happy’ after receiving a hospital visit from iconic singer Imelda May

Hope: Shane’s wife Victoria said she was desperate for him to come home by Christmas 

Victoria recently shared a major health update on the hospitalised star.

READ MORE: The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan is ‘so happy’ after receiving hospital visit from singer Imelda May

The rocker left fans shocked when Victoria shared an image showing the extent of his ill health.

In a newer post, the hitmaker was seen smiling, with a caption reading: ‘Shane is feeling much better today! I am so grateful to everyone who is willing him to get home for the Christmas!’

While Shane was the iconic Irish folk band’s vocalist, Spider, real name Peter Richard Spider Stacy, played the tin whistle and Terry Woods the guitar and mandolin.

All three performed in the group during the height of their success in the late 80s and early 90s before reuniting in 2001 with their last gig together in 2014.

Shane’s wife took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to thank the musician’s for paying a visit alongside a harrow photo of her husband now using a breathing apparatus as he continues to battle the dangerous condition.

She penned: ‘I just wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone who has been messaging me and ⁦@ShaneMacGowan⁩ and thank you ⁦@spiderstacy⁩ and Terry Woods for coming to visit him.

‘Love and prayers for everyone who is struggling right now. Hang in there’.

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