Andrew Lloyd Webber has announced that his eldest son, Nicholas, has died from gastric cancer aged 43.
The Oscar-winning composer wrote on Twitter that his son, who was also a successful composer, died on Saturday at Basingstoke hospital in Hampshire surrounded by his family.
He wrote on Saturday evening: “I am shattered to have to announce that my beloved elder son Nick died a few hours ago in Basingstoke hospital. His whole family is gathered together and we are all totally bereft.”
Last weekend Lord Lloyd-Webber revealed his son was “critically ill” with gastric cancer, which is also known as stomach cancer and develops when cells form in the lining of the stomach and grow abnormally.
The impresario of musical theatre, who has three Grammys, four Tony Awards and an Academy Award, missed the opening of Bad Cinderella at New York’s Imperial Theatre due to his son being hospitalised.
The Broadway show is a retooled version of London West End’s Cinderella, which takes its name from a key song in the show and has new songs, leading actor and title.
Nicholas Lloyd Webber scored the BBC One drama Love, Lies and Records and a theatrical and symphonic version of the novel The Little Prince in 2009 in a collaboration with James D Reid.
In 2017, he worked on Fat Friends: The Musical. The Little Prince premiered at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast while Fat Friends embarked on a major tour.
Nicholas Lloyd Webber also produced his father’s Symphonic Suites at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London and the pair’s musical theatre album of Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella released to tie in with the stage show’s premiere in 2021 was nominated for a Grammy.
In response to the news, the cellist Guy Johnston wrote: “Heartbroken for you and my cousin, Polly and little Gus. You are all in our thoughts. Sending much Love and deepest sympathy.”
The soprano Rebecca Caine tweeted: “I’m so, so sorry, Andrew. Much love and strength to you and your family.”
Lloyd Webber’s first wife, Sarah Hugill, is Nicholas’s mother. They also have a daughter, Imogen.
