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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amy Denman

Dr Feelgood legend and Game of Thrones star Wilko Johnson dies age 75

Musician and actor Wilko Johnson has died at the age of 75, it has been announced.

The Dr Feelgood legend and Game of Thrones star's death was announced on his band's Twitter and Facebook pages.

A statement read: "This is the announcement we never wanted to make, & we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died.

"He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. Thank you for respecting the family's privacy at this very sad time. RIP Wilko Johnson."

The punk icon, who was formerly an English teacher, shot to fame in the 1970s with Dr Feelgood.

Wilko Johnson has died, his band announced (Getty Images)

Wilko, who was born as John Peter Wilkinson, was known for his distinctive guitar playing style and played a part in the influence of the English punk movement.

The musician was also in band Ian Drury and the Blockheads before he formed his own group, the Wilko Johnson Band.

He also ventured into acting as made his on-screen debut as Ser Ilyn Payne in Game of Thrones in 2011.

Wilko Johnson's death was announced in a statement on his band's social media pages (Redferns)

Initially the punk icon appeared as a guest star but later returned to his role for the second season of the HBO series.

Despite taking part in two of the series' most memorable death scenes, HBO were forced to phase out Wilko's popular character due to his health.

Wilko was previously diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in 2013 and was given just 10 months to live after he found a lump in his stomach.

The punk musician made his on-screen debut on Game of Thrones (Internet)

But in 2014, he went for a second opinion after a fan called Charlie Chan suggested he should.

Wilko previously told the Mirror: "Charlie started to wonder why I was still alive and not seriously ill."

And further tests showed the guitarist's pancreatic cancer was a neuroendocrine tumour – a rare and less aggressive malignancy.

In April 2014, he underwent a nine hour operation to have his pancreas, spleen, part of his stomach and part of his small and large intestine removed at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Wilko was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 (Redferns)
After getting a second opinion the guitarist underwent an operation (Getty Images)

He later told fans he was cancer-free at the Q Awards in October 2014.

After his operation and up until his death, the legendary punk guitarist continued to perform live – with gigs around the UK earlier this year.

Tributes to the talented musician and actor have come pouring in on social media following the news of his death.

Rock band The Stranglers tweeted a photo of Wilko and wrote: "Throwback Wednesday: For obvious sad reasons, a day early this week. Following today’s awful news of the passing of the legendary RnB guitar hero Wilko Johnson, here he is with his old friend & flatmate JJ a few years ago. Fly straight Wilko, fond adieu RIP x".

Fellow musicians have paid tribute to the legendary punk artist (Getty Images)

Anton Newcombe added: "Rest in Power Mr Wilko Johnson - you fought the good fight, and had a damn good run. when they said it was over, you came back stronger. cheers mate".

And dup Sleaford Mods wrote: "Sleep well, Wilko Johnson. The unsung inventor of post Mod, Mod."

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