Neville Staple has shared his sadness at the news The Specials bandmate Terry Hall has died.
Terry's death at the age of 63 was announced on Monday evening on the band's official Twitter account. They revealed he had suffered from a "brief illness".
The shock news comes just weeks after Neville, 67, had told fans plans were in place for a busy 2023 for the band. He shared an image of the pair on his Twitter account alongside a heartfelt statement which read: "I was deeply saddened to hear about Terry Hall's passing on Sunday.
"@SugaryStaple was called as we arrived in Egypt. We knew Terry had been unwell but didn't realise how serious until recently. We had only just confirmed some 2023 joint music agreements together. This has hit me."
He later added a comment to a post about a Rock Against Racism gig earlier this month.
Neville continued: "Hit me hard and must be extremely difficult for Terry's wife and family. Sugary and I, extend our heartfelt condolences to them all at this extremely difficult time.
"In the music World, people have many ups and downs, but I will hang onto the great memories of Terry and I, making history fronting The Specials and Fun Boy three together. Rest easy Terry Hall."
Fans were quick to share messages of condolence with him as he mourned his friend.
His messages came after the band announced the sad news. They wrote a string of tweets, beginning: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing, following a brief illness, of Terry, our beautiful friend, brother and one of the most brilliant singers, songwriters and lyricists this country has ever produced.
"Terry was a wonderful husband and father and one of the kindest, funniest, and most genuine of souls. His music and his performances encapsulated the very essence of life… the joy, the pain, the humour, the fight for justice, but mostly the love."
They went on to say he will be deeply missed and said the gift he left behind including "remarkable music and profound humanity".
The Specials were best known for hit tunes such as 1979's A Message to You, Rudy and 1981's Ghost Town.
They were formed in Coventry in 1977 and were originally called The Automatics before opting to change their name to The Coventry Automatics, The Specials AKA The Automatics and finally, in 1978, The Specials.
The band originally consisted of Jerry Dammers, Lynval Golding and Horace Panter – with Hall, Neville, Roddy Byers and John Bradbury joining a year later.
Terry left the band in 1981 and formed Fun Boy Three with fellow The Specials bandmates Lynval and Neville. He later released two solo albums and more recently collaborated with stars including Gorillaz, Lily Allen and D12.
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